09/19/2026
Ever wonder why an ambulance might load a patient, close the doors… and then just sit there for a few minutes before leaving?
Chances are, we’re not “just sitting there”.
Once a patient is in the back of the ambulance, we have a lot of tools, equipment, & knowledge right at our fingertips. Cardiac monitors, medications, IV supplies, airway equipment, and plenty more.
Before we start heading to the hospital, there are times when we need a few extra minutes to assess the patient, check vital signs, run an EKG, start an IV, give medications, or perform other treatments.
We’re also trying to answer an important question:
Where is the best place for this patient to go?
Not every hospital provides the same level of care for every emergency. One hospital may be the best destination for a stroke patient, while another may be better equipped for a major trauma or certain cardiac emergencies.
What we find during our assessment can completely change the destination, which could completely change the patients outcome and recovery.
Could we do some of this while driving?
Some of it, yes.
But some things are a lot more accurate (and safer) to do while the ambulance is sitting still instead of bouncing down the road. We all know how bumpy some of our roads are…being in an ambulance makes it 10x worse!
So the next time you see an ambulance sitting in front of a house for a few minutes after the patient has already been loaded, don’t assume nothing is happening.
There’s a pretty good chance the crew is actively assessing, treating, and deciding on the best plan for that patient before the wheels start moving.
We’re not wasting time. We’re making good use of it.