Healthcare transport in Spain has undergone significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people wonder what has happened to the professionals in the sector who cared so much for all of us and who spent a large part of the pandemic transporting and saving the lives of many sick people in their ambulances.
Implemented measures
On the one hand, additional hygiene and disinfection measures have been implemented in ambulances to prevent the spread of viruses during transport. The ambulances are thoroughly cleaned after each use and specific products are used to disinfect the spaces.
Ambulance equipment
In terms of ambulance equipment, the quality and safety of stretchers have been particularly improved, as they are a crucial element in the transfer of patients.
Current stretchers are designed to ensure greater comfort and safety during transport, both for the patient and the medical staff. Safety systems have been incorporated to avoid sudden movements of the patient during transport, as well as more resistant and durable materials.
At Kartsana we have always been aware of the importance of medical staff and how important it is to try to improve and facilitate their work, making patient transport as comfortable as possible for everyone involved.
Professionalization of the sector
The pandemic has also accelerated the professionalization of the sector, with greater investment in equipment and health and safety measures. On the other hand, there is evidence of the merger between different companies in the sector to ensure better coordination and efficiency in medical transport. This has allowed for better management of available resources and a greater capacity to respond to emergency situations.
In recent years, the decrease in the number of companies dedicated to medical transport in Spain has been equivalent to the increase in the degree of concentration of supply. According to data from the DBK Informa sector observatory, at the beginning of 2023 there were a total of 263 companies dedicated to this sector throughout the country, and only the top five operators have a market share of 35%.
We can say that medical transport in Spain has improved significantly at a qualitative level, becoming more professional and adapting to the new needs of the market.
Future challenges
Medical transport faces several challenges for the future, such as the need to improve coordination between the different emergency services and medical transport in order to reduce waiting times and improve patient care. In addition, work needs to be done on the education and training of medical transport staff to ensure adequate and efficient care. Another important challenge is investment in technology and equipment to improve the quality of service and ensure patient safety during transport. Finally, it is essential to address the issue of health transport in rural and remote areas, where access to medical services is limited.
