Transporting Patients to Appropriate Receiving Destinations

Conclusion EMS is in a position to be the initiator of specialty center destination. In large cities with multiple hospitals, EMS should transport patients to the closest, most appropriate facility based on patient condition, even if this requires passing a closer facility. Where there are hospitals with multiple specialty services, EMS may be asked to activate a specific team, such as the stroke or cardiac team. In rural communities, EMS can communicate with the local hospital and by letting the hospital know of patient condition, help start the interfacility transport process from the field. EMS is, and should be, considered part of the healthcare team.  EMS providers should strive to recognize conditions requiring specialty centers and work as patient advocates to get patients to an appropriate facility as timely as possible. 
Source: JEMS Special Topics - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Exclusive Articles Columns Operations Source Type: news