Transfers boost demands on Peabody ambulance
News editor
Peabody had the busiest ambulance unit in Marion County for February with 29 calls, but more than one-third of those calls were transfers from Hillsboro Community Hospital, Emergency Medical Service Director Steve Smith told the County Commission on Monday.
The reason Peabody ambulance made those transfers is because it is the only unit that has regular volunteers qualified to make advanced life support transfers. Smith said that in recent months, HCH has started requesting advanced life support transfers whenever there is a chance that it will be needed.
Advanced life support transfers require ambulance workers who are licensed to perform a greater number of invasive procedures or administer a greater number of lifesaving drugs, Smith said.
Hillsboro ambulance made 26 runs in February, including four transfers. Marion ambulance made 23 runs, including eight transfers. Tampa ambulance went on five runs, and Florence went on three. Goessel first response made two runs, while Lincolnville first response made one.