Patient Transportation

In general, patients are transported to the closest hospital with a basic emergency department permit that is staffed, equipped and prepared to receive emergency cases and administer emergency care appropriate to the needs of the patient. This applies to both EMT-Is and paramedics. It should be noted, however, that Los Angeles County permits hospitals to divert medic transports under certain conditions (emergency department saturation, ICU saturation, Neurosurgery diversion, and internal disaster). Patients meeting "trauma criteria" are transported to one of thirteen trauma centers which cover specific geographic areas throughout the county. (Trauma centers are also permitted to divert paramedic transports when certain conditions are met). EMT-Is transport patients to the closest hospital and usually notify the hospital that they are enroute either through their dispatch or through the HEAR radio system. Paramedics are required to make base hospital contact when patients meet certain specific criteria. The base hospital determines which hospital or trauma center a patient should be taken to. Patients who do not meet either base hospital contact criteria or trauma criteria are taken to the closest hospital with a basic emergency department.

Medical Care for the Injured

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