Emergency Myths: Common Misconceptions About Ambulances and ERs

By Rod Brouhard, About.com Guide

Updated November 29, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Ambulances are used throughout the medical field to transport patients to many different types of facilities. Ambulances not only respond to emergency scenes, they take patients from convalescent hospitals to doctor visits and treatment centers. Any bedridden patient has needed an ambulance to transport them.

Some areas use a similar form of transportation called a "gurney van." Gurney vans do not have an attendant in the back with the patient during transport and the driver of the van is not trained as an emergency medical technician.

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• Myth: Ambulances are for Emergencies Only
• Myth: Ambulance Patients Get Priority in the Emergency Department
• Myth: Ambulances Can Only Transport

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