Emergency! Should You Drive to the Hospital or Call An Ambulance?
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Many people think hopping into a car to an emergency room is faster and cheaper, but they could be dead wrong! In our community, calling an ambulance when it matters saves lives. Even if the scene of the emergency or accident is very close to a healthcare facility, it is always best to call 9-1-1. Paramedics are highly trained professionals who are able to provide advanced medical treatment to those who are sick or injured. -
Consider the following if you were to drive:You could endanger others while en route — if you’re too ill, injured or distracted, it is wise to dial 9-1-1. Also, if you’re the sick person and you’re too ill to speak, call 9-1-1 anyway. Just by dialing, the operators can identify your location and will automatically send help.
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An ambulance ride provides more than a fast trip to the emergency facility.
- Life-saving equipment and supplies, such as heart monitors, pain medication and intravenous fluids, are always available.
- First responders have up to the minute knowledge about the various hospitals and their capabilities in order to determine the best hospital for your emergency.
- Ambulance crews can also call ahead to alert emergency staff of your status and needs (shortening your time to an operating room, for example)
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In some cases, moving a patient incorrectly can result in greater risk or injury.
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Ambulances and other emergency vehicles are given the right of way in traffic and can often bypass busy streets or congestion, allowing them to travel much more quickly than personal vehicles.
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Time is not the only factor that should be considered.
You can do more for the patient by staying calm, reassuring them, keeping their airway open, and stopping life-threatening bleeding.
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There are some instances when an ambulance should not be called:- For transportation to a doctor's appointment
- To get a prescription filled
- To seek treatment for minor cuts or abrasions
- For faster attention in the emergency room. Emergency room patients are treated in the order of the severity of their illness or injury. Arriving by ambulance will not afford you faster medical treatment.
Remember, calling 9-1-1 activates an entire network of highly-trained emergency medical providers. You wouldn’t want to tie up these resources in a non-emergency situation when a real emergency could be occurring, yet if in doubt, call 9-1-1.