Hospital based ambulance services

[BFD847]

I was just wondering how many hospital based ambulances were left out there.
And how do you operate? We are used as ER staff when not out on the ambulance.

[N3UEA]

I work for a small community hospital that provides 2 ALS squads (with two paramedics per truck) in the mostly rural area that the hospital considers it's "coverage area" One is based at the hospital & the other at a fire company. When the crew that is stationed at the hospital is not doing EMS related work, we have the option of going to the ER. During that time, we are restricted to procedures within our scope of practice. If we leave the ER & go to the floors for a code, we can only operate as EMTs. Obviously, EMS related duties take priority.

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Chris Buchmoyer, EMT-P
Lancaster County PA
**The preceding comments are mine alone and in no way represent the views of my employers or their employees**

[This message has been edited by N3UEA (edited 03-25-2001).]