Emergency ambulance

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Emergency ambulance

NKTW of the Medical Task Force
NKTW of the Medical Task Force

Vehicle data

Abbreviation: NKTW
Crew: Germany: mostly paramedics & one other employee

Austria: at least 2 paramedics

Commitment: acute emergencies, intensive transfer, ambulance transport
Furnishing: DIN EN 1789 Type B: Emergency Ambulance
Drive: Street

An emergency ambulance (abbreviated NKTW ) - sometimes incorrectly also called multi-purpose vehicle (MZF) - is an ambulance in the rescue service that is designed and equipped for the transport, first aid and monitoring of patients. When desired, an emergency ambulance can be used as ambulances and rescue vehicles are used. The equipment and other features are regulated in DIN EN 1789, which defines the NKTW as Type B - Emergency Ambulance . Vehicles of this type are also with a gross vehicle weight of 3.88 tons for the German Civil Protection procured and used.

Because its type of use is variable, an NKTW is primarily used in rural regions, but it is also used as an upgradeable NKTW in city rescue. The only differences to a fully-fledged ambulance according to DIN EN 1789 (Type C) are the ergonomic dimensions and the equipment with certain medical products .

tasks

The tasks of an emergency ambulance are identical to those of an ambulance or an ambulance, depending on their use:

  • Emergency transport
  • Rendezvous system with the emergency doctor vehicle (NEF) as a replacement for an emergency doctor vehicle.
  • Care of the patient until the emergency doctor vehicle (NEF) or the emergency doctor vehicle (NAW) arrives
  • Intensive care transports accompanied by a doctor experienced in intensive care medicine (if no intensive care vehicle is available)
  • Hospital-to-hospital transfers
  • Transport to the hospital (briefing by a family doctor or as part of a medical service at major events)
  • Transport to a specialist (ordination, medical center)
  • Transport from the hospital or specialist back home (apartment, retirement home)
  • Ambulance trips, e.g. B. for dialysis or to change the catheter - the patient is brought for treatment and then driven back again
  • Carrying out the transport of blood products when no other vehicles are available

crew

The crew of an emergency ambulance depends on the state rescue service laws and the respective type of operation (ambulance or emergency rescue).

In order to be able to react flexibly to changing operations, in Germany in federal states that require a paramedic as the most highly qualified for the ambulance, mostly more comprehensively trained emergency paramedics or paramedics are deployed. In Austria, both paramedics and the better qualified paramedics are deployed on the emergency ambulance.

technology

Vehicle types

An emergency ambulance carries slightly less equipment than an ambulance. The most likely vehicles are Mercedes Sprinter vans with box bodies and (especially in Austria) VW vans with high roofs. Opel Vivaro or Ford Transit vehicles are less common .

  • NKTW - Sprinter (box body)

  • RTW - LT (box body)

  • KTW and NKTW of the German Red Cross

  • NKTW - VW T5 (high roof)

Furnishing

Interior view with stretcher and carrying chair

The dimensions and equipment features of emergency ambulances are standardized across Europe. Essentially, the specific minimum equipment consists of a stretcher , an oxygen system, suction pump , portable emergency equipment including an EKG monitor and bandages. Additional medical equipment is a voluntary service provided by the rescue service provider or is available due to local regulations and therefore varies greatly.

Coloring

The most common basic colors are white, red and ivory ( RAL 1014). In the meantime, sulfur and Euro yellow (RAL 1016) are also used. Often the vehicles are supplemented with all-round contrasting colored stripes or foil stickers (e.g. "daylight red" according to RAL 3024) and reflective material . For better identification, the vehicles are also often stuck with the logos of the operator organizations, the designation "ambulance" or "emergency ambulance" and their radio call name. Regional differences and legislation must be observed here.

communication

The emergency ambulance is constantly connected to the control center by radio . In Germany in the public rescue service via the BOS radio . In Austria, work is currently being carried out on a nationwide uniform radio system for emergency organizations (see BOS radio system in Austria ). Both classic voice radio and, in some cases, special data radio (Germany: POCSAG or radio reporting system ) are available, via which the rescue control center can transmit transport information such as the place of appointment, delivery location, patient name and the like. Rescue personnel can also use radio data transmission to provide simple information about the position and readiness for use (" status ") of their own vehicle. In some areas, the vehicles also have GPS location transmitters, so that all vehicle locations are transmitted to the control center in real time become. An alternative communication option that is often used are commercially available cell phones , which are used primarily in cases of overload or failure of the radio system.

Since the turn of the millennium, GSM and GPS technology that has become inexpensive has found its way more and more into communication and coordination. The last technical advancement are tap-proof and powerful digital radio systems (e.g. TETRA ), which can be used by all authorities in the event of a disaster .

criticism

The DIVI is the use of emergency ambulance with the standard type B critical gegenüber.Gemeinsame opinion of DIVI for Type B and Type C. They complained, among other things, a lack of equipment and lack of ergonomic freedom for treatment provider.

Austria

Corresponding vehicles are also called medical emergency vehicles ( SEW ) in Austria . Since vehicle procurement and equipment in Austria vary from state to state and every organization procures and equips its vehicles itself, they are all very different.

In some federal states, ambulances in accordance with DIN EN 1789 Type C with extensive equipment are not available or only in metropolitan areas for cost reasons - therefore emergency ambulances (type B) are used, which carry out ambulances as well as are dispatched to primary emergencies . A minimum equipment is required.

For example, in Vienna , Salzburg and Vorarlberg you can often find VW Crafter or Mercedes Sprinter with very extensive equipment. In other federal states, VW Transporters are often used as a vehicle and expensive equipment such as EKG or ventilator is only carried on the NEF .

swell

  1. ↑ There are different national regulations in Germany.
  2. ↑ Equipment set, loading plan and data sheet for type B emergency ambulances (vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315/316 CDI)
  3. ↑ BBK: Equipment set, loading plan and data sheet for type B emergency ambulances (vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 316 CDI)
  4. ↑ https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/LgblNO/LRNI_2005085/LRNI_2005085.pdf