Modernization is largely a good thing. Today, industries cannot cope with market trends without having to keep up in terms of technological developments. New York City’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is one the many organizations that were able to understand the necessity for modernization. Advanced technologies in local ambulance services may seem like a good idea especially for EMS. However, is the EMS modernization project a really spotless proposition? Does it allow the local public EMS ambulance to really compete with a private ambulance service providers? In order to weigh the situation better, here are a few advantages and disadvantages of EMS modernization:
- Advantage:
- Disadvantage:
- Advantage:
- Disadvantage:
More organized work process, hence quicker response – Technological improvements, like wireless computers, a more reliable network, and top-of-the-line communication devices make EMS personnel’s jobs easier. These improvements make their work processes more synchronized, minimizing gaps and delays that are critical in this line of industry. Both people and EMS personnel are assured a more reliable signal relay and more efficient dispatch procedures, a definite relief for a lot of concerned New Yorkers.
A small lag in the system can be detrimental to the entire process – A rescue operation is a highly complex process. It involves multiple operations that are all equally critical when saving someone’s life. When a more advanced system or network is incorporated to this process, a simple lag or freeze can affect the entire procedure. Several cases of dispatch delays have been reported in the past couple of months and all these cases root from lagging wireless computers. Private ambulance services on the other hand invest a great deal on back-up communication equipment to secure themselves during such an occurrence.
Improved monitoring facilities for EMS personnel to maximize. Improved ambulance technologies mean improved monitoring facilities. These developments make it easier for medical personnel evaluate victims’ conditions and identify severity more accurately.
Advanced monitoring facilities may require additional training and certification for EMS personnel – While this would seem like more of a good thing, on the state’s end, this is more of a challenge. Additional training and certification would incur additional cost, and while we all understand that this is for the better of all New Yorkers, this is still a disadvantage as we are talking about an additional expense.
Modernization comes with both the good and bad sides. In order for the state to provide NYC a better EMS ambulance service, they need to keep up with the improving ambulance technologies. However, they also need to accept the costs. When talking about life-saving, states cannot be mediocre on quality just to ease costs. The usual experience of being in an ambulance will not change if state officials will not accept what it takes to provide an improved ambulance service for New Yorkers.
Richmond County Ambulance Services is a full service long and short distance private ambulance that operates in the fives boroughs of NYC, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island. We offer EMS medic and event stand-by services. Contact our NYC ambulance service department at: Richmond County Ambulance Services 1355 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310 (718) 273-3555.