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Ginja_Ninja322 karma

Also forgot to mention EMR, which are basic CPR qualifed only and typically just drive the ambulance. Usually seen in poor/rural areas and are volunteer. Many volunteer services also serve as fire departments.

Ginja_Ninja322 karma

How capable are ambulances in Italy? I'm a paramedic in USA and am curious about the differences.

Ginja_Ninja321 karma

Thank you so much for the info! I'd be happy to explain more of the US system.

So US prehospital care is similar to yours in that there is a lot of varience depending on where you are. But at a minimum an ambulance will have 2 EMTs, or an Advanced EMT or a paramedic or some combination of the two. Some areas run only BLS, a combination BLS/ALS or strictly ALS. denser population areas typically get more funding for ALS care. You only see nurses in HEMS and typically nothing more qualified than that except in specialty teams designed for critical PT transfers from hospital to hospital, then you may have a PA or DO. The two main systems of EMS are private and governmental. Private companies typically just provide ambulance or air transport and government organizations are attached to Fire Departments. Many government EMS organizations in rural or smaller areas are volunteer so they don't get paid at all. Pay is typically not great on the ambulance here as well, so many EMTs and paramedics will transfer to paid Fire Departments with better wages and pensions. Many rural volunteer services have funding issues for equipment and sometimes transports can take over an hour to a qualified hospital by ground.