This is a guide to help you get to he hospital safely if calling an ambulance takes too much time.
1Evaluate the reason for the trip to the hospital. In medical emergencies where awaiting emergency transport may allow the patient's condition to deteriorate significantly, carrying the patient directly to the emergency room may be your best option. Here are examples of this type of emergency:
- Delivery of a baby. This is one very common reason a person usually would choose the option of transporting the patient by personal vehicle.
- Severe bleeding. Because bleeding can lead to shock very rapidly, if treatment can be obtained more quickly by carrying the victim directly to an emergency room, rather than by calling your local emergency medical services (Ambulance, Fire Department, or EMTs), you may choose to self-transport.
- Poisoning. Most poisons progressively cause damage to internal organs, so the more rapid your response to this medical emergency, the better the prognosis for a successful recovery. Ingested poisons often require the administration of antidotes to neutralize the poison, or using a stomach pump to physically remove the poison, and ambulance services may not be equipped to administer these treatments at the site of the incident or during transport.
- Snakebite. Snake venom causes damage to tissues or the central nervous system, so the more quickly an antivenin is administered, the more effective it will be. By transporting the victim yourself, you may be able to secure treatment faster than if you wait for an ambulance.
2Call or have a competent person call your local emergency number if possible as soon after the medical emergency occurs. Whether you plan to transport the patient or not, letting the hospital staff know the patient's condition will enable them to prepare for the treatment of the victim while you are transporting them. Have as much information as possible available to hospital staff when the call is made. The emergency operator will be able to connect you directly to staff at the hospital, or forward critical information to them while you are transporting the victim.
3Have someone call family members and pass any available information along to them regarding the situation. This will allow them to make arrangements so they can attend the sick/injured person at the hospital as quickly as possible. Providing the family members this information will also enable them to attend to children or others who depend on the victim for their basic needs, such as having someone meet children when they are dropped off by the school bus after school, or picking up smaller children before their daycare closes.
4Try to assimilate any information that will help the emergency room staff treat the patient or victim. Information such as allergies, medications, or details of an accident will make treatment decisions easier for the hospital staff.
5Pick up personal effects that may be required at the hospital. Having identification material, such as a driver's license, as well as insurance information, and possibly even a living will, will speed the administrative process at the hospital.
6Plan the route you will take to the hospital. Avoid traffic delay areas such as construction zones or rush hour congested heavy traffic areas where possible.
7Choose a suitable vehicle, if possible. Larger vehicles, particularly SUVs, will allow loading and unloading of the victim more easily than will a compact vehicle, and a car or SUV with air conditioning or an effective heater, depending on climate, will make it more comfortable for the victim and those who are traveling with them.
8Make sure the vehicle has sufficient fuel for the trip. A brief stop at a gas station is better than finding yourself stranded on an interstate highway. If there is time, it might also be a good idea to check the vehicles tires, particularly if you elect to travel at high speeds in a dire emergency.
9Determine if you need accessories to help keep the victim comfortable or to treat the victim during the trip. A blanket to help warm the victim, or a small bucket for vomiting victims may help during the transport.
10Take time to administer first aid only if the benefit will be advantageous. Slowing, or stopping bleeding if possible is very worthwhile, but trying to induce vomiting in a poisoning victim or sucking snake venom from a snake bite quite possibly will offer very little improvement in the victim's condition.
11Call your areas emergency numbers just in case
12Make sure the driver is concentrating on operating the vehicle. Being distracted by the patient during high speed, high tension travel will place all of the occupants of the vehicle in greater danger.Ad
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- Keep calm and cool.
- Don't let the patient fall asleep or they might go into a coma or shock depending on the illness.
Things You'll Need
- A car
- a patient
- a phone