Emergency Medical Services in Sri Lanka - Ambulances

Ambulances

Ambulances in Sri Lanka are undergoing a transformation from a simple transport vehicle, to a mobile treatment and stabilization unit. This transformation is following the same historical transformation that actually leads to the development of modern Emergency Medical Services. Over the past four decades many countries have undergone this same transformation. Even in developed nations until the 1970’s, emergency patients were often transported in hearses with limited or no medical equipment or trained personnel. An ambulance was simply a transportation vehicle. Based on international research, doctors proved that perhaps the most critical time for trauma and major medical patients is the first hour of the emergency, also known as the “golden hour”. Because of this, the role ambulances have been transformed from only a transport vehicle to a mobile extension of the hospital services. Likewise, Emergency Medical Technicians became an extension of the hospital based care. Now, EMTs are able to perform interventions while transporting patients to the hospital. Not only is pre-hospital care life saving, but it also prevents secondary injuries and helps to restore the quality of life when the patient returns home.