INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MEDICAL TRANSPORTERS
Every year on August 20th, International Day of Medical Transporters honors ambulance drivers and the important work they do. The day also encourages us to learn more about the job of a medical transporter.
A medical transporter has the important job of getting a sick or injured person to a hospital, and they work in high-stress situations. Sometimes getting their patient to the hospital is a matter of life or death. Patients with traumatic injuries most commonly receive medical transport.
Other reasons include patients who have abdominal pain, respiratory distress, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or a seizure. In addition, in some cases, patients with a behavioral disorders, such as violent outbursts and other kinds of psychiatric problems receive medical transport. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for medical transporters to get physically assaulted in these types of scenarios.
As part of their job, medical transporters also do the following:
- Offer comfort and support to patients
- Respond to 911 and other emergency calls
- Lift patients in and out of bed
- Establish communication with patients
- Maintain a secure and healthy work environment
- Respect patient confidentiality
- Move deceased patients and their belongings to the mortuary.
Medical transporters must be able to lift at least 50 pounds. They also need to know CPR and operate different types of medical equipment, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED). Other names for a medical transporter include ambulance driver and emergency medical services (EMS) provider. Many people also call them the unsung heroes of everyday life.
HOW TO OBSERVE #DayOfMedicalTransporters
Places that employ medical transporters have a special day of recognition for them and other emergency responders. Health care organizations also take time to recognize medical transporters and the important work they do. To participate:
- Learn more about the qualifications of a medical transporter.
- If you know a medical transporter, buy them lunch or a coffee and thank them for their work.
- Educate yourself on what to do before the medical transporter arrives.
- Commit to learning CPR.
- Donate funds so that your church, school, or workplace can buy an AED.
Share this day on social media with #DayOfMedicalTransporters.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MEDICAL TRANSPORTERS HISTORY
The medical transporter profession can be traced back to World War I. At that time, they made history when the first field ambulances transported injured people to medical care facilities
Our team is still researching the history of who created this day and its first observance.