4 Ambulance Concepts of the Future

Emergency medical services (EMS) are an essential part of every medical practice. Ambulances can provide first aid and emergency care, and help transport the patient to the hospital/ clinic for further treatment. Therefore, having an ambulance/ EMS vehicle will make your practice that much more reliable and efficient.

However, ambulances are expensive, both to ride and to buy. Depending on the type of services the ambulance provides, the costs can vary from USD 55,000 to USD 190,000. If you opt for a customized modular ambulance it costs even more. These custom ambulances may cost between USD 160,000 to USD 200,000 and come with a lot more features than regular ambulances. A loan for doctors is a good way to pay for them.

Additionally, ambulances have the potential to grow into an out-of-hospital clinical care service. With the right customisation and technology, EMS vehicles could save more lives, even in areas that are not easily accessible. Here are a few innovative ambulance concepts that may be applicable in the future:

1. Shell ambulance concept

Shell ambulances are designed to treat people at their home, instead of taking them to the hospital. There is a removable ‘shell’ that can be set up to create a protected treatment space for the accompanying doctor. Additionally, these shells can be placed out for a long period of time, making them ideal in providing care to rural and isolated areas. Moreover, the shell provides X-ray screening and immunisation ability/ services.

2. Morphing interior ambulance concept

As the name suggests, these ambulances will morph according to the needs of the patient. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, with versatile ultra-thin wall-mounted displays, and portable video, the interiors of these ambulances are made of soft silicone to morph in to the shape of the patient according to his/ her needs. This allows the physician/ doctor to treat their patient with easy access to all required equipment and treatment packages. Additionally, the treatment packages can be accessed from both, inside the vehicle and outside, adding to the ease for trained medical staff to do their work.

3. Mobile treatment concept

Mobile treatment is about providing high quality medical treatment to remote areas. They can be used to provide urgent and planned care to such communities, and also for social service treatment programs away from the hospital. The body of the ambulance pivots in the middle, generating about a metre’s length on both sides. This creates a larger space for treatment and can be used to deliver social services and treatment programmes away from the hospital.

4. Autocare concept

Autocare ambulances are designed to deliver pre-hospital care as quickly as possible. With a single ejector-type driving seat that projects the clinician on-site. The treatment packages are deployed as a backpack, while the vehicle is built to be driven on rugged terrain as well. The access at the back allows easy loading of the patient for speedy care. With rural areas in urgent need of quality healthcare, such concepts can deliver on the promise of taking healthcare to the patient, as there are several limitations to hospital-focused healthcare. As is the case with new technology, it requires a shift in attitudes and overhaul of existing systems for it to be widely adopted, not to forget financing as well. However, with pre-approved loans for doctors, you can drive healthcare in to the future without having to wait for the requisite funds.