Response delivered by paramedics operating in Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) is a recognised method of delivering early clinical intervention throughout the UK. NIAS has
successfully utilised RRVs since early 2003 and RRVs provided a significant contribution to the improvement in NIAS Category A performance figures in 2007/08.
If a patient has experienced a significant accidental injury or has a life-threatening medical condition that could lead to cardiac arrest and death, then early clinical
intervention is absolutely crucial. A very significant proportion of calls attended to by paramedics operating in RRVs receive a response within the 8 minute target by which
NIAS is measured.
When an RRV is despatched to a life-threatening emergency call, an emergency ambulance is also sent. The RRV paramedic can undertake any and all of the skills available to
any paramedic and will provide life sustaining care including defibrillation, airway protection and drug administration until the emergency ambulance arrives. This early
intervention may well make the difference between life and death and will certainly ensure that patients and their relatives are confident that all that can be done is, or has
been, done.
Paramedics operating in RRVs also have a key role to play in managing demand; not only are they frequently well positioned and effective at providing the early and crucial
clinical intervention in the case of immediately life-threatening calls, but they are also able to attend our Category C less serious calls and arrange for a more appropriate
care pathway for the patient, including transportation, if required.
Differences between an Emergency A&E Ambulance and RRV Vehicle
Emergency
Ambulance Vehicle |
Paramedic Rapid
Response Vehicle (RRV) |
An emergency ambulance has a stretcher and two ambulance crew members, one of whom should be a paramedic. This ambulance contains a variety of essential equipment and
supplies including oxygen, life-saving cardiac and pain-relieving drugs, equipment for airway protection, ventilation support, circulation protection and - most importantly
for people in cardiac arrest - a cardiac monitor / defibrillator. An emergency ambulance can be tasked to emergency calls; to Doctors Urgent calls (transporting ill patients
for planned hospital admission); can undertake patient transfers between hospitals and also to discharge patients home. |
An RRV is a smaller car or jeep type vehicle which carries ALL of the equipment contained within an emergency ambulance except for the stretcher. It is staffed by one
experienced paramedic and attends only emergency calls. RRVs work closely with emergency ambulance resources rather than as an alternative to them - they complement each other.
Often arriving first, the RRV remains in the area and is immediately available for the next call once the emergency ambulance has left with the patient. The key difference
between an Accident and Emergency Ambulance and an RRV is that the RRV is not equipped with equipment for moving patients nor does it have a stretcher for transporting patients.
RRV's will treat patients at the scene and normally do not transport patients. |
The perceived benefits of RRVs are:
- RRVs are mobilised and ready to respond to 999 calls more quickly than emergency ambulances.
- RRVs achieve a sub-8 minute response time to 999 calls more often than emergency ambulances.
- The RRVs are only unavailable while awaiting an ambulance. Once it has arrived the RRV Paramedic may stay and help but is effectively free to respond to any other 999
calls in the area.
- An RRV Paramedic can prepare a patient for transport - thus the ambulance is on-scene for a shorter time and is on the call for a shorter time.
- An RRV is on a call for less time than an emergency ambulance which has to transport the patient to hospital before it can be considered available again.
- Consequently the RRVs are actually available to 999 calls for a greater proportion of their working day.
- Often an RRV paramedic will attend a patient who does not need to travel to hospital by emergency ambulance. Following assessment and discussion with the patient the emergency
ambulance can be cancelled and alternative arrangements made.
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