La UTE
La UTE is the
government organization in charge of the 5 UVI-Móviles in
Vizcaya. An UVI-Móvil, which literally means "mobile
ICU" is an ambulance equipped with a variety of
advanced medical equipment and staffed by a doctor, nurse, and driver. These 5
ambulances respond to the most serious emergencies and are really the only
advanced life support ambulances in the province. Paramedics or an equivalent do
not exist in Europe. Also unlike in the U.S., all procedures such as intubation,
IV's, defibrillation, etc. are done on-scene. The patient in not transported
until stable. In the case of cardiac arrest, the patient is not taken to the
hospital unless they recover, which is very rare. If the UVI-Móvil
gets to the scene and the doctor decides that the patient does not need advanced
life support care, then an ambulance from the DYA or Red Cross is called to
transport the patient so that the UVI can go available for more serious calls.
Click any
picture to enlarge.
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Drug cabinet and IV supplies |
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Lifepak 12 cardiac monitor, IV infusion pump, pulse oximeter, automatic ventilator, aspirator |
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View from back of ambulance |
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