Today, medical transportation is a vital aspect of medicine. However, it hasn’t always been. Did you know that medical transportation only became a staple of the medical community in 1973? Although it only received widespread adoption in the US 45 years ago, the history of medical transportation starts long ago.

Ancient Medical Transportation

The Romans invented battlefield surgery, and it saved countless lives. In order to operate on wounded soldiers, they used chariots to remove those in need. However, the Romans weren’t the only one to adopt this practice. The Greeks did too. Unfortunately, it would be many centuries before medical transportation became widespread.

Early Medical Transportation Services in the U.S.

There were several early medical transportation services in the U.S. For example, Cincinnati established the first civilian ambulance service in 1865. Several years later and in New York City, hospital interns rode on horse-drawn carriages to help treat the sick and injured. However, the first major shift to the modern medical transportation field occurred in 1901. At the Pan American Expo in Buffalo, NY, the first electric-powered ambulance was showcased. It was put into action shortly after.

EMS Systems Act of 1973

The history of medical transportation was changed forever in 1973. The United States federal government passed Law 93-154. Often, it is referred to as the EMS Systems Act of 1973. The EMS Systems Act of 1973 established that an “emergency medical service system provides for the arrangement of personnel, facilities, and equipment for the effective and coordinated delivery of health care services in an appropriate geographical area under emergency conditions.” An emergency condition is anyone who is suffering because of a condition, a natural disaster, or a similar situation.

Medical Transportation System

Additionally, medical transportation systems were defined. A medical transportation system must contain 15 components. They are:

• Communications
• Training
• Manpower
• Mutual Aid
• Transportation
• Accessibility
• Facilities
• Critical Care Units
• Transfer of Care
• Consumer Participation
• Public Education
• Public Safety Agencies
• Standard Medical Records
• Independent Review and Evaluation
• Disaster Linkage

Additional Changes

Since the EMS Systems Act of 1973, many other changes occurred throughout the history of medical transportation. For example, the American Ambulance Association was formed in 1979. Two years later, EMS funding became a part of state preventative health and health services. Later, additional funds enhanced the EMS system for pediatric patients. In 1996, the EMS Agenda for the Future was released, and it outlined necessary improvements for the field.

Today

Today, medical transportation companies provide great assistance to people. ABBA Medical Transportation offers quality services to patients throughout Central New Jersey. ABBA Medical Transportation’s services include:

• Wheelchair
• Ambulance
• Dialysis
• Psychiatric
• Recreational
• Hospice
• Long Distance

The history of medical transportation is important. ABBA Medical Transportation is glad to help shape the future of the medical transportation industry.