There are many factors to consider when it comes to receiving quality medical support, but arguably none of them are as important as having access to care in the first place.
If you’re in a healthcare desert in a rural area, or there has been an adverse event that requires more medical personnel at your site, then mobile medical units and medical shelters are the answer. It allows patients to be treated at their current location, without having to be transported.
Read on to learn more about the benefits and need for mobile field hospitals…
Why The Increasing Demand?
One of the factors contributing to the increased need for mobile medical services is the closure of smaller hospitals. The current pandemic has put an additional financial strain on many of them, which has led to them closing their doors.
The problem outside of urban centers is not new. In fact, statistics show that more than 170 rural hospitals across the country have shut their doors since 2005. Many of these hospitals have also furloughed staff as elective procedures were limited. This means access to services for area residents has been impacted.
Aside from closures, around a quarter of people do not have reliable transportation to get to medical appointments.
Setting Up For Natural Disasters
There is an increasing number of natural disaster events across the country, including hurricanes and wildfires. The result is more than just financial loss, which was estimated to be more than $300 billion in 2017 alone.
There could be a number of victims in a concentrated area, limiting the capacity for care and access. Mobile medical shelters can be set up quickly and be used as triage centers before patients arrive at a hospital. If the unit is located far from a medical facility, the first responders will be able to communicate through a secure connection.
These climate-controlled shelters (also known as a mobile field hospital) are also typically stocked with medical supplies, and some even have advanced technology such as thermal imaging to determine body temperature. Overnight stay beds are also available in these types of shelters.
More Benefits of Mobile Medical Care
Mobile medical services can be more than an emergency response. It can offer full services such as diagnostics, and some medical treatments can be administered on board the unit.
For those who are a bit nervous to visit a medical facility outside their home community, mobile medical units can bridge this gap by setting up in their neighborhood. It also helps those being cared for in a particular place feel more connected to the practitioners.
As mobile units come right to the patients, early screening and preventative care can end up reducing emergency department visits and save healthcare costs.
Mobile Medical Units and Shelters Can Be Beneficial
For those who do not have access to healthcare in rural areas, or are without reliable transportation, mobile medical units can be a game-changer.
Whether getting routine medical services or being treated in a disaster zone, having access to quick medical care can improve patient outcomes.
To learn more about our mobile medical response units, please contact us today.