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New Iowa ambulance designed with children in mind

A lighting system inside the rig shows stars and fireworks on the ceiling to provide a distraction

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By EMS1 Staff

DES MOINES, Iowa — EMS providers are hoping a new ambulance will help put pediatric patients’ minds at ease during emergencies.

WHOTV.com reported that the new ambulance at Blank Children’s Hospital went into service in June.

“When you have a child that’s very scared, apprehensive, then distracting is one of the important things to calm them down,” David Edgar, Assistant Chief of EMS for Iowa EMS Alliance, said.

A committee worked on the design with children in mind, according to the report. For example, a lighting system inside the rig shows stars and fireworks on the ceiling to provide a distraction.

“I know we had a recent transport where it was a patient that needed calming. They used the ceiling to do that and it helped the entire trip,” Edgar said.

The cab, which can carry up to four family members, is also equipped with a camera in case parents need to see what’s going on during transport.

“We have found many times a parent might have other kids with them and not a way to get down to the hospital, and so you can imagine sending your child off in an ambulance and not being able to go with them,” Edgar said. “That feature is very important. It was one of the key features in the redesign.”

The ambulance has transported over 160 patients since going into service, according to the report.

https://www.facebook.com/blankchildrens/videos/442457003026006/?q=Blank%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Hospital%20ambulance

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