STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health Emergency Medical Services has seen a growing need to transport patients being administered high-flow oxygen. This can be challenging since it requires more space in the ambulance, and a system to prevent patient discomfort.

Mount Nittany Health’s Department of Emergency Medical Services designed their newest ambulance to meet this challenge head-on. The new ambulance, a 2022 Ford F-550 Horton, is larger than the 2006 F-450 Horton it’s replacing, giving patients more space, and EMS personnel more headroom. The extra space also allows for a dual high-flow oxygen tank setup.

“We’ve seen an increase in requests for transport of patients on ventilators and high-flow oxygen devices,” says Mount Nittany Health’s Emergency Medicine Services manager, Rich Kelley. “The specifications for the new ambulance were to have dual onboard oxygen tanks that make long distance transports on high-flow oxygen possible.”

Oxygen is typically administered at 2-15 liters per minute. Even at low flows, oxygen can dry out a patient’s airway passages. When it’s delivered at high-flow rates, like 25 liters per minute, it will quickly dry out nasal airways and potentially cause nosebleeds and other discomforts.

Meeting patient needs required cross-discipline collaboration from Mount Nittany Health staff. Rich reached out to Respiratory Care clinical supervisor, Lucas Mortimer. Lucas’ expertise helped the EMS team request specific updates to Hamilton T1 ventilators Mount Nittany Health was purchasing.

“Along with this new ventilator, Lucas provided training for the equipment, which is commonly recommended for severe respiratory patients, especially some patients affected by COVID-19,” said Rich.

Mount Nittany Health Emergency Services has two ambulances; one Critical Care level and one Advanced Life Support level. In 2021, they responded to over 4,450 incidents, and transported over 1,400 patients in ambulance and wheelchair vans. They also support inter-facility transport, which average 200 miles per trip.

Mount Nittany Health EMS supports 911 services in Centre County and a portion of Huntingdon County from two locations — one at the Medical Center and the other in Bellefonte. Their average distance traveled responding to 911 calls is 26 miles per dispatch.

The new ambulance also has “Liquid Springs” suspension for smoother ride and a TV with streaming technology to entertain pediatric patients. This helps alleviate their fears and makes the ride more comfortable.

“The services our EMS teams provide is vital to caring for patients in our community,” said Dr. Kasandra Botti, DO, FACEP, EMS Director for Mount Nittany Health. “We commend their thoughtfulness and teamwork in helping this project come together.”

Mount Nittany Health’s exceptional patient transportation starts with care provided by our highly-skilled EMTs and paramedics.