RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/arti...91103/news/911039992

Is anyone else tired of hearing about people being flown to Huntsville for emergency care?
I mean, if Huntsville is thethe answer to our emergency needs now, where will we go if they fail us? Birmingham? Nashville? Atlanta? St. Louis? Boston? Seattle? Is ECM and Helen Keller without capable staff and technology for immediate care? I don't want to hear about money, pay scales, and the government. Do we need to live in fear that life or death emergencies here, depend on timely tranfers to staff and facilities who are thought to be superior to ours? After all, Florence,AL is not in the middle of nothing. If so, maybe I should move.

My guess is if they had been doing the 30 mph speed limit the truck wouldnt have went 125 ft in the ditch and flipped to start with. Maybe H'ville has a better trauma center.

Without question, take me to Huntsville if I am in that horrible of a crash. ECM is good for most things, but the trauma center in Huntsville is preferable in some cases. That call is made by the on site Medical Team that evaluates the need of the patient and makes that call for Air Evac...kudos to them for being willing to go that extra step and get the person the help they need...

I agree if I am injured take me to Huntsville.I have family that works at HKH and ECM. Huntsville is much better prepared for tramua and head injuries.I would also rather err on the side of caution after a major misshap and would rather be in Huntsville if something was to go wrong not almost 2 hrs away JMHO

Huntsville Hospital has a Level I Trauma Center, as well as a Pediatric Trauma Center.

ECM Hospital has a Level II Trauma Center.

Trust me, when we was told, that they was nothing more they could do for our son, who would ever want to hear them words, I ask could you not fly him to Huntsville or even Nashville . Yes it would be Great if ECM had that type care as the others. And in our case as many, even if he was in Huntsville it may not have helped, but maybe a better chance. Thanks to All who work in the ER and the EMT's thru out N W Alabama !

quote:

Originally posted by Bamafnatk:
Thanks to All who work in the ER and the EMT's thru out N W Alabama !

I totally agree,they have to make critical calls during stressful situations.They all deserve our support and encouragement

quote:

Originally posted by bamaseahawk:
RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/arti...91103/news/911039992

Is anyone else tired of hearing about people being flown to Huntsville for emergency care?
I mean, if Huntsville is thethe answer to our emergency needs now, where will we go if they fail us? Birmingham? Nashville? Atlanta? St. Louis? Boston? Seattle? Is ECM and Helen Keller without capable staff and technology for immediate care? I don't want to hear about money, pay scales, and the government. Do we need to live in fear that life or death emergencies here, depend on timely tranfers to staff and facilities who are thought to be superior to ours? After all, Florence,AL is not in the middle of nothing. If so, maybe I should move.

I can assure you when I and others like me call an air ambulance to the scene it is something fairly serious, and we do not take this decision lightly as this is a valuable asset not to be tied up on incidents that do not need them. Not to mention the risk and financial aspects involved. You question whether Huntsville is superior or equal to ECM or Helen Keller, I can tell you Huntsville IS superior. ECM and Keller are level 3 trauma centers. Huntsville is a level 2 trauma center.

You ask if Huntsville is not able to provide the kind of care needed where will they go? Then they will be transferred or directly transported to a level 1 trauma center which would be Birmingham, Nashville, and Memphis. Other nearby level 1 trauma centers are Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Jackson.

The way they rate which level a hospital should be has nothing to do with pay scales or government. It is dependent on what services and procedures a hospital can provide and if they can provide them immediately (staff standing by at all hours) or if they have to call staff in, many other factors are considered also like specialists, speciality units, number of beds, and so on.

If you have any other questions or want me to elaborate on something feel free to ask, I'd be happy to answer them. I would ask for you to not be so confrontational about the decision of sending patients to higher levels of care, some day you may need that higher level of care.

Edit: Don't get me wrong ECM and Keller are fine hospitals, they just don't have the finances and patient load to justify having level 1 or 2 services.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ffemt,

Thank you ffemt , and welcome to the T D Forum.

Thanks ffemt. I did'nt mean to sound confrontational and honestly was'nt attacking anyone personally. I would not have a problem being sent somewhere with a better rated trauma center. Just a little frustrated about the problems going on now with HK and ECM. Please know that I do have great respect and admiration for all who deal with trauma and other emergencies.