Medical technology is evolving fast, so it’s no wonder that ambulance technology is catching up too.
Common issues faced by ambulance service providers are now being solved by a powerful branch of technology - telematics.
Telematics is the science of monitoring and tracking assets such as vehicles using GPS and other onboard diagnostics. It’s helping change how hospitals and private providers manage their ambulance fleets daily, by allowing these providers to deliver better care to patients.
Let’s explore how it does this.
Better Tracking = Better Service Levels
Telematics allows for excellent GPS tracking and quick availability checks. Providers know exactly where all their vehicles are and which ones are available for immediate dispatch. It can also identify ambulances that have strayed from their expected route or area for immediate correction.
Telematics data can also help manage ambulance personnel more effectively. The use of GPS guidance and tracking also mean less fuel wastage, which reduces cost.
Improved Response Rate = Happier Patients
The success of providing emergency response depends on whether patients are responded to in the manner they want. All patients want to be taken seriously and responded to quickly. With the use of telematics, there is an establishment of clearer communication between management and vehicle personnel.
This means faster response times and improved patient wellbeing. Faster response times also result in reduced mortality in critical situations, a big need in healthcare.
Accident Reconstruction and Prevention = Better Safety and Legal Cover
The data that can be collected via telematics is not limited to tracking. In fact, in the event of road accidents, additional data can be extracted to virtually reconstruct what happened. Since emergency responders frequently have to engage in risky driving behaviour to respond to patients on time, this reconstruction can be very helpful during an accident investigation.
Some fleet management systems also let in-house managers turn off engines of the vehicles remotely. This can be a life-saver if something untoward happens to the driver of the vehicle during dispatch.
Transform The Way You Manage Your Fleets With iFleet
As is clear, the use of telematics in emergency responder vehicle management comes with many upsides. If you are looking for a fleet management system for your organisation, iFleet is a good option to consider. A fleet management solution powered by IoT and telematics, iFleet has 3 products: iFleet GPS Tracker, iFleet Wi-Fi and iFleet Video.
The first allows real-time tracking of vehicles, the second provides connectivity on the go for vehicle users, and the third provides live video feeds from vehicles to managers. We recommend that providers have all three products installed in their fleet for the most thorough monitoring and tracking experience.
Using iFleet as your fleet management system also has its upsides: you can benefit from the iFleet Transformation Fund. This fund allows you to get a subsidy of up to RM10,000 per company (20% discount per vehicle) to install iFleet products, while also enabling drivers to participate in driver training and iFleet’s driver rewards program.
