GMHC 911 department on duty 24/7
GMHC has the highest level of ambulance service in the State of Iowa equipped with highly trained Emergency Medical Responders and advanced medical equipment.
The Guttenberg Municipal Hospital and Clinics (GMHC) Emergency/Trauma Department is available 24/7 to meet the community's medical needs.
Ambulance services
GMHC ambulance service supports the GMHC hospital responding to approximately 600 calls a year with 30 percent of the calls being transfers to facilities that offer a higher level of care such as Dubuque hospitals or the University of Iowa Hospital.
A critical access hospital is defined as any hospital located in a rural area certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid services as being a necessary provider of health care to residents of the area, with service including available 24-hour emergency care. As a critical access hospital, GMHC has the highest level of ambulance service in the State of Iowa equipped with highly trained Emergency Medical Responders and advanced medical equipment.
"We have six paid full-time, two part-time and several PRN Emergency Medical Responders including paramedics, EMTs and ambulance drivers," said Paul Decker CCP, GMHC EMS Manager. "Through the years we have been very fortunate to have both in-hospital 911 coverage as well as dedicated staff who have offered great support to our service as retired drivers. In addition to highly trained staff, GMHC ambulance service is equipped with the newest equipment that support the team in providing safe, efficient care to our patients."
On the long list of equipment is high-tech cardiac monitoring. Zoll cardiac monitors are used for checking vital signs, patient monitoring and EKGs. "If a heart attack is diagnosed upon arrival to a residence, the EKG can be transmitted to the ER for the emergency room provider to confirm the heart attack. This allows our team to quickly diagnose and get the patient to the nearest cardiac cath lab for quick treatment," explained Decker.
The ambulance is also equipped with patient transfer equipment designed to provide safe patient lifting and splinting. The auto load system for loading and unloading occupied cots and splinting devices provide greater patient and EMS safety. "We are very fortunate to have a Medical Director that is supportive of our EMS values assuring we are able to provide high-quality care," he said with gratitude.
When the weather is inclement and helicopter support is not an option the GMHC emergency department has nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who are available to assist in the ambulance for a transfer to further support the critically ill or injured patient. "We have an amazing support system at GMHC. Patient safety and community support is our priority," says Decker.
In addition to prioritizing the care of the immediate community, GMHC has taken a stance in providing support to Colesburg Ambulance, Elkport/Garber EMS, and Garnavillo EMS to provide Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provisions, to address gaps in service and response challenges in smaller communities that take fewer than 100 calls. Decker noted, "Because of this program we are able to help monitor patient care quality, patient care protocols and provide basic life support (BLS) drug boxes for the affiliated services."
Submitted by Keri Smith, GMHC Chief Nursing Officer, and Paul Decker GMHC EMS Manager, based on an interview with Caroline Rosacker
