Q&A
Concerns about ambulance resources and patient dignity
1:12:47
·
99 sec
Council Member Rivera raises concerns about the resources available in ambulances, particularly regarding patient dignity and care during transport. Chief Fields explains the general rule for replacing supplies used during a call.
- Council Member Rivera highlights issues with basic supplies like bed sheets
- Chief Fields explains that ambulance crews can typically replace supplies used from hospital stock
- Concerns are raised about ensuring patient dignity during transport and handover
Carlina Rivera
1:12:47
And I asked because, you know, they're there for 41 minutes and or maybe even longer as they wait for patients to be admitted, they eventually have to get back out on the street.
1:12:58
Right?
1:12:58
They have to get to the next job.
1:13:01
And my question really is around resources and the ambulance itself because, you know, I have family and friends that have, you know, multiple issues, and and they've received excellent care in many facilities.
1:13:13
And by many of of your team who I know do a lot of work for not enough money.
1:13:17
I know that.
1:13:19
But there are issues with the resources inside the ambulance itself.
1:13:22
Things like bed sheets, how they care for the patient, ensuring that when they're transferred, out of their apartment into the ambulance that they're they're doing so with dignity.
1:13:32
So when they go to go back out onto the street, is there like a protocol for how the ambulance is is supplied?
Michael Fields
1:13:41
So and this is a general rule.
1:13:44
Each facility is different.
Carlina Rivera
1:13:45
Okay.
Michael Fields
1:13:46
Whatever lending resources you brought in, you're allowed to replace.
1:13:50
So if I come there with two sheets, which is normally what they carry, Right?
1:13:54
They can take two sheets from the facility.
Carlina Rivera
1:13:57
Well, again, I asked because there's gonna be testimony from from the public later, and and people have, you know, personal stories on on just their family, not being covered with something as simple as a bedsheet.
1:14:11
And that can really just compound the trauma of of the situation.
1:14:15
So I just want to ensure that when we're looking at how stretched they are in their capacity, they really have all the supplies they need to the job.
1:14:24
So I just I wanted to bring that up.
1:14:26
And I know that in your testimony, you also mentioned that hospital closures are a very, very big factor.
