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Clean up - some of these are about aid station rather than a large-capacity ambulance
 
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{{Short description|Medical bus used to transport and treat several patients at a time}}
[[File:York Region EMS ambulance bus.jpg|thumb|An ambulance bus in [[York Region]], [[Canada]]|alt=]]An '''ambulance bus''' is a type of [[ambulance]] with the capacity to transport and treat multiple [[patients]] who require [[emergency medical services]]. AmbulanceAn busesambulance havebus beenis used primarily for a[[medical numberevacuation]] of different purposes, including [[Mass-casualty incident|mass casualty incidents]],<ref name="hospitalpreparedness">{{cite web|title=High Point Regional Hospital tests its emergency preparedness|url=http://triad.news14.com/content/local_news/triad/632052/high-point-regional-hospital-tests-its-emergency-preparedness|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719064823/http://triad.news14.com/content/local_news/triad/632052/high-point-regional-hospital-tests-its-emergency-preparedness|archivedate=2011-07-19|accessdate=2010-10-28|publisher=News 14 Carolina}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|dftitle=First Hospital-Based Mass Evacuation Bus in Hampton {{!}} First Line Tech|url=http://www.firstlinetech.com/first-hospital-based-mass-evacuation-bus-in-hampton-roads-now-based-at-sentara-virginia-beach-general-hospital/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123160622/http://www.firstlinetech.com/first-hospital-based-mass-evacuation-bus-in-hampton-roads-now-based-at-sentara-virginia-beach-general-hospital/|archive-date=2016-01-23|accessdate=2015-08-05|website=www.firstlinetech.com}}</ref> and non-emergency medical transport of care-dependent patients,<ref name="jumbulance">{{cite web|url=http://www.jumbulance.org.uk/faq.html |title=Questions and Answers |accessdate=2007-06-02 |publisher=Jumbulance Travel Trust |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702165512/http://www.jumbulance.org.uk/faq.html |archivedate=2 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> orand can also be used for specific problems such as drunk patients in town centres.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=London Ambulance Service|title=Ambulance crews prepare for party night pressure|url=http://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/news/news_releases_and_statements/ambulance_crews_prepare_for_p.aspx|date=2008-12-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Aboard the 'Booze Bus'|publisher=BBC News|access-date=20072009-1211-1708|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7147646.stm}}</ref> Ambulance buses can also be used to prevent health crises by providing mobile care during [[marathon]]s/events<ref>{{Cite web|title = First Hospitalarchive-Based Mass Evacuation Bus in Hampton {{!}} First Line Tech|url date= http://www.firstlinetech.com/first2016-hospital03-based-mass-evacuation-bus-in-hampton-roads-now-based-at-sentara-virginia-beach-general-hospital/|website = www.firstlinetech.com|accessdate = 2015-08-0503|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/2016012316062220160303202825/http://www.firstlinetechlondonambulance.comnhs.uk/first-hospital-based-mass-evacuation-bus-in-hampton-roads-now-based-at-sentara-virginia-beach-general-hospitalnews/|archive-date = 2016-01-23news_releases_and_statements/ambulance_crews_prepare_for_p.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref> or providing a respite from the heat and preventing [[heat exhaustion]] on hot days.<ref>{{Citecite webnews|title =Aboard Xthe Games'Booze Austin:Bus'|publisher=BBC Several treated downtown for heat, EMS saysNews|date=2007-12-17|url = http://wwwnews.austin360bbc.co.comuk/weblogs1/atx-gameshi/2014magazine/jun/05/ems-several-treated-downtown-heat-during-x-games-e/|accessdate = 2015-08-057147646.stm}}</ref>
 
== Applications ==
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===Mass casualty incident===
[[File:Toronto EMS bus.jpg|thumb|An ambulance bus in [[Toronto|Toronto, Canada]]]]
In the event of a major [[disaster]] or evacuation, an ambulance busesbus can be used to transport high volumes ofmultiple patients orto evacuatethe non-ambulatoryhospital.<ref>{{Cite patientsweb|title=Alaska fromNational hospitalsGuardsman andparticipate nursingin homesmass tocasualty caredrill|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/124289/alaska-national-guardsman-participate-mass-casualty-drill#.VcJGd5NVhBf|accessdate=2015-08-05}}</ref> centersThe outvehicle ofmay harm'sbe way.equipped Critical care transport andwith [[Advancedadvanced Lifelife Supportsupport]] systems are integrated into each vehicle to accommodate the needs of patients requiring constant intensive care.<ref name="News 14 Carolina">{{cite web|publisher=News 14 Carolina |title=High Point Regional Hospital tests its emergency preparedness |url=http://triangle.news14.com/content/video_stories/632052/high-point-regional-hospital-tests-its-emergency-preparedness?ap=1&MP4 |accessdate=2010-10-28 |url-status=dead |df= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094921/http://triangle.news14.com/content/video_stories/632052/high-point-regional-hospital-tests-its-emergency-preparedness?ap=1&MP4 |archivedate=2011-07-27|accessdate=2010-10-28|publisher=News 14 Carolina}}</ref> AmbulanceLikewise, busesduring canan beevacuation deployedin toadvance majorof incidentsa disaster, wherean multipleambulance patientsbus arecan presenttransfer orpatients expected,in hospitals and cannursing behomes usedto incare twocenters mainout waysof harm's way.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mass casualty ambulance bus|url=http://www.sartinservices.com/MAB.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509191807/http://www.sartinservices.com/MAB.html|archivedate=2008-05-09|publisher=Sartin Services}}</ref>
# Ambulance buses can act in a stationary capacity as a casualty clearing station, field hospital, or treatment center. The units can be dispatched in advance of large events or festivals or in response to emergency events.
# Ambulance buses can be used to transport multiple stretcher-bound or wheelchair-using patients from the scene to the next definitive point of care.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sartin Services |url=http://www.sartinservices.com/MAB.html |title=Mass casualty ambulance bus |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509191807/http://www.sartinservices.com/MAB.html |archivedate=2008-05-09 |df= }}</ref> Again, units can be used in advance of eminent danger (like the evacuation of a hospital in the path of a hurricane) or as a response to an emergency (like when evacuating a nursing home that fills with smoke or to transport a large number of patients in a large-scale highway accident<ref>{{Cite web|title = Alaska National Guardsman participate in mass casualty drill|url = https://www.dvidshub.net/news/124289/alaska-national-guardsman-participate-mass-casualty-drill#.VcJGd5NVhBf|accessdate = 2015-08-05}}</ref>).
Traditional ambulance buses are designed from the ground up to handle the increased demands of multi-patient treatment and transportation. They are built with the intention of providing a close resembleace to a mobile hospital and often include large amounts of medical equipment.
 
===PatientNon-emergency holidaytransport===
SomeAn charities,ambulance suchbus ascan [[Jumbulance]], operate ambulancebe busesused in a patient transport role specifically to allow stretcher -bound patients to takeleave the hospital, such as taking excursions or holidays away from the hospital, whilstwhile still bebeing able to benefitprovide fromthe anecessary fullmedical care service from theirduring healthcarethe escortsjourney.<ref name="jumbulance" />
 
== Conversion of existing vehicles ==
=== Quarantine and isolation ===
Existing vehicles like buses can be converted into an ambulance bus with the installation of an on-demand ambulance bus kit.<ref>{{Cite web|last=FERGUSON|first=JOHN WAYNE|title=Galveston County OEM in the running for ambulance bus kit|url=https://www.galvnews.com/blogs/newswise/article_a7c28a48-1988-11e3-aad2-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=2020-08-29|website=The Daily News|date=9 September 2013 |language=en}}</ref> On-demand ambulance bus kits are installed inside any available vehicle on an as-needed basis when the need is anticipated in advance, like in the case of hurricanes or planned hospital maintenance. These kits can be installed temporarily or permanently.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Old school buses converted into ambulances to evacuate nursing homes|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/converting-buses-into-ambulances-evacuate-nursing-homes-quickly/65-bcd7b693-9335-41cb-b40f-0c6057c3735e|access-date=2020-08-29|website=wusa9.com|date=23 April 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Some mass casualty buses are specially adapted to for [[CBRN defense|chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear]] (CBRN) incidents and can be used for quarantine or isolation of contaminated patients. These vehicles may have additional features such as a sealed bulkhead to separate the driver compartment from the patient compartment. The equivalent functionality of the ambulance buses may also be built into other vehicles such as [[truck]]s, [[train]]s or other large mass transit vehicles. These mass evacuation buses are well suited for quarantine and containment.
 
== PermanencySee of kitalso ==
{{Commons category|Ambulance buses}}▼
[[File:York Region EMS ambulance bus.jpg|thumb|An ambulance bus in [[York Region]] is labeled as a "multi-patient unit"]]
In some cases, existing responder vehicles like used school or city buses can be used as mass casualty transport vehicles with the installation an AmbuBus Kit, which is installed inside a vehicle of opportunity to create an ambulance bus capable of transporting up to 18 nonambulatory patients.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AmbuBus Kit {{!}} First Line Tech|url=http://www.firstlinetech.com/product/ambubus-kit/|accessdate=2015-08-05|website=www.firstlinetech.com}}</ref> These conversion kits are inexpensive alternatives when agencies do not have enough funding for a new ALS/BLS medical ambulance bus, which can often cost up to $750,000. Conversion Kits give first responders and municipalities the option of a low cost, temporarily or permanently installed conversion kits for mass casualty response. In the UK, in the post-war era of the 20th century, the Royal Air Force (RAF) had a fleet of staff buses built by Whadham Stringer. These were fitted with seats that could, when required, be taken out and the resultant platform could carry 6 standard (at the time) stretchers.
 
* [[Aid station]]
On-demand ambulance bus kits are temporarily installed inside any available vehicle (like a school or city bus) on an as-needed basis when the need is anticipated in advance, like in the case of hurricanes or planned hospital maintenance. When not in use, kits can be stored in warehouses with low maintenance costs. When needed, kits are installed and used. After use, the vehicle can be returned to daily use. With some kits, holes are drilled in the shell of the bus, requiring recertification, however other kits allow vehicles to be easily returned to daily use without recertification.<ref name="AmbuBus">{{cite web|title=AmbuBus|url=http://www.ambubus.com|accessdate=2 June 2015|publisher=First Line Technology}}</ref> Temporary ambulance bus kits are ideal for hospital evacuations, mortuary affairs, and the transport of special needs patients.
* [[Field hospital]]
 
* [[Hospital ship]]
No-notice ambulance bus kits are permanently installed into a vehicle of opportunity (like a school or city bus) and are on-call to respond at a moment's notice for earthquakes, terrorist attacks, or other no-notice disasters. Permanently installed kits are sometimes preferable to traditional MABs because they are less expensive than traditional ambulance buses, can be reconfigurable in the field, are transferable in case of vehicle malfunction, and can use the existing vehicle assets of a city. Permanent ambulance bus kits are ideal for mass casualty evacuation and transport, but can also be used for emergency prophylaxis distribution and firefighter rehabilitation.
* [[Mobile hospital]]
 
* [[Nontransporting EMS vehicle]]
▲{{Commons category|Ambulance buses}}
 
==References==
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambulance_bus"