UMass Memorial Health is showing off a new ambulance that brings the resources of a life flight helicopter to the streets.
The ground critical care transport ambulance is larger than a traditional ambulance. It has a powered stretcher and a loading system plus more oxygen capabilities onboard.
Dr. John Broach of UMass Memorial Emergency Medicine said the new life flight ambulance is a trauma room on wheels.
"It has a much more sophisticated set of monitors and respiratory equipment that can support patients on ventilators and with multiple I.V. medications infusing, he said. "And it also just has a lot more space so that we can provide care for truly critically ill patients inside.”
The ambulance was built in collaboration with Coastal Medical Transportation Systems.
This new ambulance will be able to reach critically injured patients when weather conditions do not allow for helicopters to fly.
It will be based at the UMass Memorial Health University Campus in Worcester.