Use of Ambulance
Overview
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In Singapore, the Emergency
Medical Service (EMS)
is operated by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
and it can be reached by dialing 995. The service is designed to provide an immediate response to patients
with
life-threatening situations.
EMS should therefore be called during
medical emergencies.
Calling 995 for
non-medical
emergencies could cost lives. The SCDF EMS is always
on stand-by for true emergencies where every second counts.
The speedy arrival of an emergency ambulance could mean the
difference between life and death for a seriously injured or ill
person. If calls to 995 are inappropriate, answering and responding to non-emergencies would
only
disrupt its duties from saving lives.
Hence, we have to understand the implications of dialing 995 when
we need
an ambulance service. Dial 1777 instead if an
ambulance is required for non-emergency condition. With appropriate use of
the SCDF EMS, we could ensure the
effectiveness and efficiency of its operation.
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When Should You Call an Emergency Ambulance Service?
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An emergency ambulance service is
required when an illness or injury could end in death or serious
complication if it is not treated immediately. The
following is a guide to cases classified as emergencies:
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Drowsiness or unconsciousness
where the person cannot be roused
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Difficulty in breathing or
choking
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Sudden or severe chest pain
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Sudden or severe abdominal pain
that will not go away
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Dislocated or broken bones
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Deep cuts or wounds with profuse
bleeding
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Head injuries that are followed
by drowsiness, vomiting, bleeding (from the ears, nose or
mouth) or unusual behaviour
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Injuries to chest, abdomen,
pelvis or spine (neck and backbone)
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Poisoning e.g. inhalation of
toxic gases or drug overdose resulting in unconsciousness
and respiratory distress
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Burns and scalds - deep with
white or charred skin or covering a large area bigger than
the size of a hand, or covering the face
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Any burn caused by electric
shock or by lightning
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Misconceptions on the Use of Emergency Ambulance
Service
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995
is a free ambulance service?
Yes, the service is free only if it is a true emergency.
However, $274 will be charged for each non-emergency case that SCDF ferries to hospital. The final outcome of the
emergency or non-emergency status of a patient will be based on
the assessment of the doctor at the Emergency Department of the
receiving hospital.
You can direct the ambulance to
the hospital of your choice? No,
the SCDF emergency ambulances will only convey patients to the
nearest restructured hospital so that the patient
can receive immediate medical attention. This will also
enable the ambulance to be available earlier for the next
emergency call.
Patient arrived by SCDF ambulance
will be given priority in treatment at the A & E Department?
No, ALL patients arriving at A & E
Department will be assessed by the medical staff at the
hospital. Those assessed as critical will be attended to
first, followed by non-emergency cases.
Calling an Emergency Ambulance
Service Operator
Once you have identified that the
patient's condition is life-threatening, dial 995 to reach the
SCDF Emergency Ambulance Service. Remind yourself to stay
calm because
your rational actions might just save the patient's life.
To facilitate a faster response to
the patient, you should do the following:
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Identify yourself and provide a
telephone contact number.
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Provide the specific location of
the patient.
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Try to keep details to a
minimum; describe the patient's signs and symptoms briefly
e.g. male, Chinese, age 67 years, having severe chest pain
since 2 minutes ago, breathless sweating.
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If you do not know what to say,
it will be more helpful for you to
listen to the Control Room Operator and answer his questions as best
you can.
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Do not hang up until the Control
Room Operator does so. He may need additional information or directions
and may have some instructions for you to follow before the
ambulance arrives.
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Send somebody to wait for the
ambulance crew e.g. by holding the lift if necessary, and
directing the ambulance crew to the patient.
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Standby to assist if required.
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Charges by Singapore Civil Defence Emergency Ambulance
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There is no charge for any emergency case
that the SCDF emergency ambulance conveys to
hospitals. However, the SCDF
charges $274 for each non-emergency case that it ferries to
hospital.
Note: The doctor at
the Emergency Department of the receiving hospital will assess
and determine the patient's condition if it is emergency or
non-emergency.
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What is a Non-Emergency?
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A non-emergency does not end in death or serious complication if it is not
treated immediately. These include one of the following:
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Slight abdominal pain e.g. gastric
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Slight fever, coughs and colds
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Aches and pains which have been present for a long time
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Minor bruises, slight cuts or broken skin
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Mild vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
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Medical check-up or hospital follow-up
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When a case is a non-emergency, the SCDF Emergency Ambulance Service should not be used.
Instead, medical advice can be sought from a family doctor, or a
hospital, using your own transport or the public transport
system.
Alternatively,
dial 1777 for a
non-SCDF ambulance.
Basic
Charges of the 1777 Private Ambulance Operators
Click
here to
view the capabilities and basic charges of 1777 Private
Ambulance Operators.
Besides the basic
charges, prices may varies from case-to-case. For
instance, additional costs are imposed for the use of bandages,
dressings, diapers, etc.
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This page is last updated on
08 March 2018
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force