You might have wondered, as others have, when you need to be transported to a hospital by ambulance, how is it you end up at one hospital over another? There is more than one answer to that question.
You, the patient, can request transport to a particular hospital where you may have been treated before for your current health issue, or because that is where your family physician is based. Port Ludlow Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) could transport you to Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, St. Michael Medical Center (formerly Harrison Hospital) in Silverdale or Bremerton, or any one of a number of hospitals in Seattle.
In some instances, the decision to take you to one hospital over another is related to the patient load at the closest hospital, and/or your particular medical needs—where one hospital is better suited to treat your particular condition. Some area hospitals specialize in treating specific health issues more than other hospitals, such as cardiac-related health problems, which might be the deciding factor in transporting you to a specific hospital.
If you have particular health issues that would require you to be transported to one hospital over another, it is important you get a File of Life packet from us, fill it out, and keep copies in your wallet or purse, and at home. If you are unable to talk to a medic, your completed File of Life form will help us get you to the best hospital.
If you have questions about the services Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue provides, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (360) 437-2236, or by email at bmartin@plfr.org.
This article was previously published in the August 2020 edition of the Port Ludlow Voice.