What Is the Difference Between Ambulance & Ambulette Services?

In response to poor medical conditions during France's 1792 war with Austria and Prussia, Dominique-Jean Larrey developed horse-drawn ambulances that stayed with the army and allowed for treatment of the wounded. Modern ambulances developed from those original designs. Ambulette service varies depending on the community and owner of the company. They offer transportation for non-emergency calls, including transport for the elderly or handicapped.

The Ambulance Vehicle

• Depending on where you live, the look of an ambulance may differ. Ambulances have emergency lights and sirens to alert others of its approach. The communication system is vital in ambulance companies. Radio and newer computer systems are used by dispatch. Radio is still common for reporting infomation to the receiving hospital.

Ambulance Equipment

• In contrast to an ambulette, an ambulance emergency medical technician must be ready for a wide variety of medical emergencies. The back of an ambulance is full of equipment to meet patient needs, from airway control devices, nasal canals and oral pharyngeals to cardiac monitors for heart rate and pulse, bandages, blood pressure cuffs and a cot.

Ambulance Service

• Paramedics have the highest training level of EMTs. Some of their responsibilities include getting safely to the scene, assessing the patient and situation, determining course of action and reacting quickly in response to the emergency. The care that can be provided is airway control, intravenous fluid therapy, and maintaining vitals such as blood pressure, breathing and pulse. In times of emergency, rapid assessment of injuries and stabilization of patients is critical. The ambulance also handles some transports that the ambulette driver cannot perform due to lack of training or equipment.

The Ambulette Vehicle

• An ambulette vehicle is selected according to what is practical and needed in the community. The ambulette is a basic transport vehicle with room in the back for wheelchairs to be secured by specialized straps. Patients are loaded in the vehicle by mechanical lifts. However, with no lifesaving devices on board, ambulette are not equipped to handle emergency situations. The drivers of the ambulette are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid but lack the education of an EMT.

Ambulette Service

• Location and company specifics determine what your ambulette service may offer. Some cities have ambulette services which commonly offer transport of wheelchair bound patients to and from appointments. Other communities offer ambulette services for basic needs of disabled patients, including appointments, helping with grocery shopping, and going to the bank or post office.