What Is a BLS Ambulance? Uses, Equipment & Patient Types

A BLS Ambulance has a goal of providing medical care and assistance needed during transportation to patients which does not require a complete care unit during transport. BLS stands for Basic Life Support. BLS ambulances provide transportation for patient transfers, less serious emergencies, and trips to the hospital for patients needing medical care during transport.

 

Knowing the difference between BLS and advanced services allows families to arrange the correct ambulance service for their patient. The patient’s medical care, mobility, oxygen support, and monitoring needs, in addition to the suggestions from their medical treatment team, determine which type of services the patient will require.

 

 

What Is a BLS Ambulance?

A BLS Ambulance is an emergency vehicle that carries equipment to provide basic emergency care. Basic Life Support care (BLS) is provided by emergency medical personnel on board, including patient monitoring during transport and providing aid at the basic life support level.

 

BLS care generally includes the administration of oxygen, control of bleeding, and the application of basic first aid and CPR as appropriate and as training and equipment on the ambulance permit.

 

BLS Ambulances do not provide the same level of care as advanced life support ambulances. They are designed to transport patients who do not require critical care or emergency interventions such as the establishment of an invasive airway or complex cardiac support.

 

The equipment and personnel on all ambulances do vary across jurisdictions; therefore, confirm the equipment available before booking an ambulance.

 

 

When Is a BLS Ambulance Used?

There are a lot of instances in which a BLS Ambulance may be needed. It's important to look at the patient’s current condition as well as the recommendations from the medical personnel.

 

1. Hospital to Hospital Transfers

Patients may be in need of medically supported transport from one hospital to the other. A patient in stable condition whose transport does not require advanced medical support can be transported in a BLS ambulance.

 

2. Hospital Discharges

Patients who are stabilized after their hospital treatment but need assistance with limited mobility or basic medical support upon their discharge may not be safe to transport by private vehicle. Transport by an ambulance provides safe and comfortable support for these patients.

 

3. Patients Needing Transportation for Testing, Consultations, or Treatment

There are many reasons for transporting patients to other medical facilities, such as for diagnostic tests, consultations, or treatment. A BLS ambulance can be a means of basic medical support for patients during transport.

 

4. Patients with Limited Mobility

Patients with mobility limitations, including elderly patients, may find it difficult to move in and out of private vehicles. Ambulances provide trained support and a patient compartment for these individuals.

 

5. Stable Trauma

There are some medical emergencies that can be transported to the hospital without the need for advanced trauma care support. These patients can be classified for transportation in a BLS ambulance.

 

 

What Equipment Is Available in a BLS Ambulance?

The contents of a BLS ambulance are highly variable and rely upon the provider, vehicle, and medical equipment configurations, but equipment may include:

 

• An oxygen supply and delivery system
• A bag-valve-mask for assisted breathing
• Apparatus to monitor blood pressure
• A pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation
• A stethoscope
• A Glucometer for blood glucose evaluation
• Basic airway management equipment
• Suction apparatus
• First aid supplies
• Bandages
• A cervical collar and immobilization equipment
• Assisted limb injury management equipment
• Patient equipment for transfer and immobilization
• A stretcher along with patient transfer devices
• A wheelchair, or a folding stretcher, if available
• Safety equipment
• Basic safety gear and fire extinguisher

 

The equipment may vary from one service provider to another. If there are special medical needs pertaining to a patient, the family should describe these needs to the tele operator during the booking.

 

 

Who Can Use a BLS Ambulance?

A BLS Ambulance offers transport for individuals who are too medically unstable to travel by conventional means, but are stable enough for transport.

 

Examples of patient groups include:

 

• Stable transfer patients between hospitals
• Patients being discharged and returning home
• Seniors who have limited mobility
• Patients needing low flow O2 support (where indicated)
• Patients who are recovering from a trauma
• Patients of scheduled treatments being facilitated
• Patients needing to travel on a stretcher
• Patients needing low level observations

 

BLS transport is not appropriate for. Patients having severe breathing difficulty, unstable blood pressure, unstable cardiac conditions, loss of consciousness, or in need of an advanced airway or ventilatory support may require a higher level of medical transport.

 

 

BLS Ambulance vs ALS Ambulance

Understanding the difference between ambulance categories is important when arranging patient transport.

This comparison is a general guide. The actual facilities depend on the ambulance provider and the patient's medical requirements.

 

 

Does a BLS Ambulance Have a Ventilator?

A standard BLS ambulance may not offer the same extensive level of ventilator support as a dedicated ventilator or an ICU ambulance.

 

Families should not assume that a BLS vehicle will be adequate for patients reliant on mechanical ventilation, or for patients suffering from serious conditions of the respiratory system requiring advanced support of the respiratory system.

 

The ambulance service should be informed of the patient’s current condition in advance. If the doctor ordering the transport has recommended ventilator support or an advanced ambulance with intensive care unit level support, the booking of an appropriate advanced ambulance should be arranged.

 

 

What Should You Tell the Ambulance Provider?

Provide key details about your patient to ICU Ambulance. This ensures they know the best way to assist you.

 

The following info assists ICU Ambulance in determining your requirements and response.

 

• Patient age
• Current medical status
• Location
• The destination hospital
• Whether the patient can walk or requires a stretcher
• If the patient requires Oxygen
• Patient level of alertness
• Any special mobility and handling requirements
• Any special medical assistance requirements (nurse, paramedic, etc.)

 

If you are not sure of the correct response category, provide the patient's status instead of requesting a named response.

 

 

How to Prepare a Patient for BLS Transport

Have the patient's recent medical documents and prescriptions, and books, reports, and tags related to the current investigation, along with the patient’s health-related documents, ID, and any information relating to the patient’s current medications.

 

If a patient has been discharged from the hospital, ensure the discharge instructions have been followed by the medical team. Unless instructed by a medical professional, do not administer new medications for the journey.

 

Ensure the pick-up site is accessible to ensure the patient does not experience any safety issues. If the patient uses oxygen or any other medical device, inform the ambulance provider before they arrive.

 

 

Why Choosing the Right Ambulance Matters

Selecting the right ambulance is not just about getting any vehicle; it is about matching the patient’s medical needs to the level of support during transport.

 

Stable patients do not necessarily need advanced critical care facilities, while unstable patients may need special circumstances during transport, with monitoring and treatment. Transporting a patient using an unsuitable ambulance may cause avoidable issues during the transport.

 

Therefore, families are advised to discuss the patient’s status with the healthcare workers and also to provide as much information as required to the ambulance service before booking the service.

 

 

Conclusion

A BLS Ambulance is perfect for transporting patients who need basic care and support. The BLS Ambulance can help transport stable patients to and from the hospital, and help transport patients who have difficulties moving. It can help transport patients on medically supported trips as well.

 

Before booking, consider the patient's situation, oxygen requirements, and level of mobility. Take into consideration the patient's monitoring needs and any advice from their doctor. Be sure to have a clear discussion with your selected ambulance service to ensure the selected ambulance and medical support are the right option for the trip.

 

For all your patient transportation needs, ICU Ambulance can help you choose the right option of the available ambulance services based on the demands of your patient.

 

CTA: Ask About BLS Ambulance Service