Wheelchairs on 911 calls

[DrParasite]

Questions for y'all

lately we have been getting calls from wheelchair bound patients who are requesting an ambulance, usually found outside somewhere, occasionally homeless.

the question becomes what do you do with the patient's wheelchair? it can't be transported in the ambulance because there is no way to secure it.

 

[JPINFV]

the question becomes what do you do with the patient's wheelchair? it can't be transported in the ambulance because there is no way to secure it.

...I've never had a problem securing a fold-able wheelchair inside an ambulance with a well by the curb door. Fold it up, tip it on its side, and it's secure enough, and definitely more secure than the all too common unsecured attendant or monitor in the back of the ambulance.

 

[akflightmedic]

I agree...I would always put it in near the side door. We always had an extra bungee cord or two on the truck as well, so those came in handy.

 

[Meursault]

...I've never had a problem securing a fold-able wheelchair inside an ambulance with a well by the curb door. Fold it up, tip it on its side, and it's secure enough, and definitely more secure than the all too common unsecured attendant or monitor in the back of the ambulance.

In similar situations, it's never even occurred to me that the wheelchair is unsecured. I think I've just become inured to potential projectiles. But if it's bothering you that much, pass a 9' strap through the wheels and around something handy, like the tech seat mount, bench net, or the pole on the equipment shelves, if you have one. As you're working the strap through, mentally rehearse your explanation for this bit of ingenuity.

On the other hand, wheelchair-bound patients are likely to require transport back home; leaving the wheelchair there might spare them some hassle during their stay.

 

[JPINFV]

On the other hand, wheelchair-bound patients are likely to require transport back home; leaving the wheelchair there might spare them some hassle during their stay.

It depends on the situation. I think it's more common for IFT outfits where every so often an ambulance is sent on a 'wheel chair assist' (or what ever other company term is used) when the wheel chair vans are backed up.


However, you're also making the assumption that the patient is at home when the emergency occurred, which is not always the case.

 

[Aidey]

You guys seem to be assuming these are manual WCs. We've transported fold-able manual WCs before, but we do not have a way to transport electric ones. Even the smallest one is too heavy and too large to get into the ambulance.

 

[Meursault]

It depends on the situation. I think it's more common for IFT outfits where every so often an ambulance is sent on a 'wheel chair assist' (or what ever other company term is used) when the wheel chair vans are backed up.

It's "chair car coverage" to my employer, and "any time after 7 PM" to me.

I hadn't thought about emergencies outside the home/SNF, but I don't see many wheelchair-bound patients with sufficient ability and initiative to get very far from home under their own power. I suppose that's because those people require EMS less. You'd agree, though, that leaving the chair at home is generally reasonable?

 

[abckidsmom]

We don't transport electric wheelchairs, but I always transport the manual ones.

 

[Meursault]

You guys seem to be assuming these are manual WCs. We've transported fold-able manual WCs before, but we do not have a way to transport electric ones. Even the smallest one is too heavy and too large to get into the ambulance.

I was just thinking, "What about power chairs?". My first impulse is to avoid touching them, as I always manage to ram myself. But really, short of a separate van with a ramp, there's no good way to transport a power chair. The only options I can think of are hoping for friends/family or a bike lock. What did you do?

 

[boingo]

We will leave it with a cop or supervisor and call a private for a chair car.

 

[WolfmanHarris]

The Ontarians with disabilities act placed an increased responsibility on the service to provide accommodation for mobility devices and service dogs. As a result we've implemented the following policies:

- if a patient requires a wheelchair be transported we may attempt to safely secure it in our vehicle. If we can't public transit will send a wheelchair bus to transport it to hospital.

- if a Pt. has a service animal we transport them. Every vehicle has a animal harness that can be secured near the head of the stretcher. For larger or small animals our Sup's carry all the additional sizes. In the event of a call where transport in the Ambulance is impractical the Supervisor or another unit will transport the animal. Generally though it would be the very rare exception to not transport the animal.

 

[JeffDHMC]

No sweat with the manual chairs. For electric chairs we have an agreement with RTD (the regional public bus service) to come get the chair and take it to the hospital.

Jeff

 

[JPINFV]

You guys seem to be assuming these are manual WCs. We've transported fold-able manual WCs before, but we do not have a way to transport electric ones. Even the smallest one is too heavy and too large to get into the ambulance.

To be fair, I did limit my response to exclude power chairs. I will say that if my ambulance had an isolette lift (my first company has a children's hospital contract), I'd see what I could do to get it in, but barring that...

 

[DesertMedic66]

If its a folding wheelchair then it's not a problem to put it in the ambulance. If it's too big for the ambulance then we call the PD and they will transport it to the hospital.

 

[nomofica]

Manual/folding WC's go in the curb door well during transport. Electric WC/scooters we contact family to see if they can pick it up (supers drive SUVs and will stay behind until family arrives). Otherwise we contact PD.