(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

healthcare investment

AHS to roll out redesigned ambulances

Nov 30, 2019 | 9:49 AM

Nearly 420 ambulances across the province are being replaced by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Mike Plato, EMS Associate Executive Director of Business Standards and Operations Support says this follows an extensive two-year study by the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, the University of Calgary, and dozens of front-line paramedics.

“In the past, ambulance design and configuration would be based largely on preferences of individuals and opinion. This is the first opportunity of its kind to actually use a research study and the evidence from it to inform design, configuration, enhancements, and changes.”

Some of the changes include:

• Improved overall layout and seat design to encourage seatbelt use
• Rounded corners on interior surfaces to prevent injuries
• Adding lips or rounded edges to counters to prevent falling objects
• Putting most-used tools and equipment in easy reach of the primary caregiver seat
• Placing garbage and sharps containers in better proximity to the primary seat
• Additional grab handle added for stability
• Adding a hydraulic lift for main oxygen tank
• Additional work surfaces added (drawers, pull-out shelving)

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A significant addition, adds Plato, is the addition of a techno-mount securement arm that allows then to secure cardiac monitors directly to the structure above the patient.

“The key piece with that is the significant risk that was identified in the study – a tripping hazard from the cabling and the tubing that was attached to the patient and the cabinetry beside the patient on the wall. Without having to run those cables and tubing from the patient and the wall, we’ve eliminated that tripping hazard for our patients.”

The first ambulances with these design upgrades were introduced five years ago. Since then, AHS reports that on-the-job injuries for EMS staff decreased by 16%.

Some communities use ambulances that are directly from AHS while others contract services out.

Red Deer Emergency Services ambulance service is contracted by Alberta Health Services.

Approximately three-quarters of the provincial fleet will be replaced over time.

“We make these enhancements as we life cycle our fleet every year, so as we buy ambulances, we incorporate the designs and then we replace old ambulances that are beyond their life span with these new ambulances that have these new design enhancements.”

Typically, between 60 and 70 ambulances are replaced with new vehicles every year.

(With file from David Opinko, Lethbridge News Now)