Ambulance & Critical CareTransport
Ambulance and critical care transport is for patients who need clinical care during a scheduled or planned transfer — between facilities, for an admission or discharge, or home after a hospital stay. We offer Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support and Critical Care Transport across Southern California.
If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911. General Medical does not provide 911 emergency response. This service is for planned and scheduled transports of patients whose condition is known.
Levels of care
Described at a high level. The level actually assigned follows the sending clinician's order, the patient's assessment and applicable requirements.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Basic Life Support (BLS) is the foundational level of ambulance care, for patients who need basic medical monitoring and support during a scheduled transfer. This service is provided by our certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, who have years of experience in the field. BLS can also be provided by a member of our staff who has received Basic Life Support training and certification.
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
General Medical provides services beyond our BLS service with our Advanced Life Support team. Here we are able to provide an ALS technician who can perform intubation, cardiac defibrillation and monitoring, and administer drugs intravenously. At General Medical, we have a well-trained team of ALS technicians who are always ready to provide our clients with the utmost care. Cardiac Monitoring is available on board for patients who need continuous heart-rhythm observation during transport.
Critical Care Transport (CCT)
Critical Care Transport (CCT) is a level of care designed to meet the needs of critically ill or severely injured patients during transport. We can provide ICU-level care as we transport patients from one destination to another. General Medical has experts available to transport patients locally and long distance with urgency and safety in mind. A Respiratory Therapist (RT) can join the critical care team for patients who need ventilator or airway management.
How a transfer runs
Referral review
We take the request from the facility or clinician and confirm the level of transport the patient's condition and order call for.
Clinical coordination
Crew, equipment and timing are matched to the transfer, and both sites agree the window.
Bedside pickup
The crew takes report at the bedside, with the documentation the receiving site will need.
Continuous care
Care and monitoring continue for the whole journey, at the level assigned.
Handoff
The patient and the record are handed to the receiving team in person, and the transfer is closed out.
For hospitals and facilities
What partner teams can expect from an interfacility transport.
- A defined process for requesting, confirming and escalating a transfer
- Agreement on required documents before the crew arrives
- A named contact for coordination rather than a general line
- Recurring transfer arrangements for regular routes
- Credential and insurance documentation available to your credentialing team on request
Common questions
Is this an emergency service?
No. General Medical does not provide 911 or emergency response. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. This service is for planned and scheduled transport.
How is this different from wheelchair and gurney transportation?
Non-emergency medical transportation carries patients who need no clinical care on the way. Ambulance and critical care transport is staffed and equipped for patients who need monitoring or clinical support in transit.
Who decides the level of care?
The sending clinician's order and the patient's assessment determine it, within applicable requirements. We will tell you what we can provide, but we do not set the clinical level.
Can a case manager book directly?
Yes. Discharge planners and case managers can arrange a transport with us, and we will coordinate with the receiving facility.
Coordinate a transfer with a team that will call you back.
Share the transfer details and a coordinator will guide the clinical and scheduling next steps.