Big Ambulances

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EMS Officials in Texas City Say Bigger Ambulances Will Help Drive Costs

Down

BY ROBIN PYLE

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Texas

In the case of ambulances, Lubbock EMS officials say bigger is better.

They believe new bigger ambulances will help increase efficiency, lower

maintenance costs and possibly provide more lifesaving opportunities,

though it comes with a bigger price tag too.

The new ambulances started rolling out on Lubbock streets late last

week, said Teague, director of Lubbock's Emergency Medical

Services.

Within the next two weeks, eight of the nine units in the local fleet

will be replaced by the much larger International Wheeled Coach

ambulances, which span a little more than half a foot taller and a foot

wider.

While the cost is roughly $250,000 more to switch to the eight larger

units, officials say the long-run cost savings derived from a longer

life span make them a better financial decision.

The total price tag is about $1.37 million.

The first thing drivers might notice about the new ambulances is the

driver's cab, which looks like those seen on a tractor-trailer rig.

But the most significant improvements won't be seen from a driver's view

in traffic, officials say.

" It will benefit the public, " Teague said, noting improved conditions

for medics and enhanced features will ultimately benefit patients.

Others agree this particular ambulance is among the best on the market.

Buzz Tallant, regional salesman for San Ambulance Sales, said

the type of ambulance has become a popular option for bigger cities in

the past eight to 10 years.

For example, Austin has been using the same kind for more than 11 years.

Lindsley, operations supervisor for the Austin- County EMS,

said they've been well worth it.

The bigger ambulances are designed to handle more and last longer, which

is something larger cities need because of higher usage and demand.

But while smaller towns generally have smaller ambulances, Tallant said,

that doesn't mean those communities have inferior vehicles because they

have what they need.

Lubbock's needs are bigger now as the city continues to grow, Teague

said, noting EMS call volume has more than doubled in the past 10 years,

from 15,000 calls annually to 35,000.

" We run more calls today, and (the old ambulances are) not able to keep

up (as well), " Teague said.

Better features

The bigger size means more working and storage space for emergency

personnel. Increased weight capacities also allow more equipment and

personnel on board.

The ambulances come equipped with mini-refrigerators, meaning medics

will no longer have to rely on a cooler.

But the fridges could have a more meaningful impact and actually could

help emergency personnel save more lives.

Teague said they will be able to store more medications and fluids

inside because of the controlled temperatures, which opens up more

possibilities for conducting more lifesaving procedures en route to the

hospital.

For example, local officials are looking into the possibility that

medics can conduct hypothermia treatment aboard the ambulances for

cardiac arrest patients, a proven therapy that increases the chances of

surviving by lowering the core body temperature.

Being able to do the procedure sooner might help save more lives.

They'll be studying the idea and possibly be ready to offer it as early

as January 2011, Teague said.

Another bonus is the new ambulances also have hydraulic suspensions,

which means the ambulances can automatically lower so crews can get

patients in more easily.

Teague hopes the new ambulances also will be more visible in traffic so

residents are more aware of them.

He didn't think there would be any problems with maneuvering them

despite their size, noting that they actually do pretty well on the

roadway.

Lindsley said the vehicles in Austin have proven to be safer for

emergency personnel because of their bigger size, though the same might

not be true for another vehicle involved in a crash with the large

ambulance for the same reason.

Crashes involving ambulances are not common in Lubbock, and most are

minor accidents involving residents rear-ending ambulances, officials

say.

Cost and savings

The cost of each new ambulance was $172,000 compared to about $140,000

each for the old ones, Teague said. However, that was a reduced priced

after trading in the old ones.

That adds up to a difference of about $256,000 for the total purchase

compared to if officials had bought the smaller ones.

But Teague said that money will be saved in the long run because

maintenance costs are expected to be lower since the bigger ambulances

generally last longer and can handle more.

They're known for running at least 200,000 miles without major problems

-- about 70,000 miles more than the old ones.

And because they have a nearly doubled weight capacity, they should

experience less wear and tear on parts such as brakes and suspension.

Previously those parts saw a lot of wear and tear because they were

" constantly maxing out " on weight capacity, causing more strain to the

vehicle, Teague said.

" It's really going to save us a lot more money on maintenance costs, " he

added.

However, officials didn't yet know exactly how much maintenance would

cost in comparison.

The initial cost was already calculated into the hospital's general

budget so the new ambulances aren't going to cause tax increases or take

money away from other areas, said Greg Bruce, vice president with

University Medical Center, which operates Lubbock EMS.

The timing is right, he said, since most of the fleet needed to be

replaced this year