Medical Transport, Then and now

The Ambulance was designed mainly as a transport, a rapid way to get a patient from the scene to medical care.

the Teens

Even though the exterior of the vehicles design cahnged over the years the interiors were still designed for the same purpose, to rush the patient to help. Lift, slide and Git.

There wasn't much room to do mare than that until the late 70's, from then on the idea was still to get them to help, but they also carried people to give some limited life support on the way.

Today bystanders wonder why the ambulance sits so long after loading a patient instead of flying to the hospital. The reason is, today's vehicles are not ambulances so much as mobile Intensive care units, With Medics and Technicians on board the patient is usually stabilized before transporting and the hospital is in contact and receiving the medical status of that patient through computers and diagnostic equipment. A doctor in the ER can look at the read out and prescribe what is needed.

The question that has always been in my mind is, Why are they called Ambulances?

Ambulatory means:  1. of, relating to, or adapted to walking (ambulatory exercise). 2. Able to walk about and not be bedridden.

So leave it to you, If I am able to walk, I shouldn't need a ride to a hospital on a stretcher. The vehicle should be named something that would reflect the person needs a ride, something like Taxi or Bus.

It could be called the Medical Taxi, Medical cab, medical Bus, Hospital Bus, Patient Bus.

This would also mean you could get rid of the hearse,  You could have....

the Late Bus.