Integrated Patient Transport System for Missouri Agency

Mike McCart, deputy chief of the Pulaski County Ambulance District in mid-Missouri, wanted to get out of the box, literally, to provide emergency medical services for his community.

In late February, the district took delivery of a custom-made 2014 Mercedes Sprinter ambulance built by Osage and using a new component set from Ferno. The innovative design has the safety of medics’ and patients’ in mind.
It is more compact than the typical box-style ambulance and supply cabinets have been replaced with soft-sided bags. The supply bags, monitors, oxygen and IV equipment hang along the side with quick-release mounts on a track system.

“It’s the first ambulance of its kind in the United States,” says Tim Schroeder, director of ambulance systems for Ferno. “We have spent three years developing the iN∫Traxx System. The interior is modular and can be changed around within minutes.”

The Pulaski ambulance began when McCart wanted to purchase the Ferno-Track system that he’d seen in Ferno’s military equipment. “I was looking for a more efficient way to have the supplies set up inside the ambulance instead of using cabinets where medics can hit their heads, or that can be yanked out in an accident,” says McCart. “I had created my own soft bag of supplies, but I couldn’t figure out how to hang it up.”

Ferno convinced Mike to be a beta site partner in the development of the Ferno iN∫Traxx system, which has been designed and tested for mainstream EMS applications using military-inspired technologies. Working together, Ferno, Pulaksi and ambulance manufacturer Osage brought the first Integrated Patient Transport System (IPTS) to reality.

The design of the IPTS System and ambulance allows providers to remain safely seated and restrained while performing care and reaching for supplies. “Providers can be strapped in instead of moving around and all the supplies and monitors are locked in securely so if there is an accident, things won’t shift or fly around the back of the ambulance,” says McCart. “The provider can be strapped into the seat and it moves backward and forward so they can easily reach everything they need. Everything, including the patient, is accessible from the seated position.”

The ambulance is also equipped with Ferno’s Acetech system to monitor vehicle location and support safe driving behaviors.

Look for a more detailed article about the vehicle in the May issue.

Susan E. Sagarra is a writer, editor and book author based in St. Louis, MO.