Las Vegas, Nevada. (Nov. 27, 2012) – American Emergency Vehicles (AEV), the nation’s top ambulance manufacturer, and Life EMS Ambulance, one of nation’s leading ambulance service providers, today unveiled a new concept in emergency transport vehicles that features a new interior design dedicated to improving the patient experience. The concept vehicle was unveiled at the American Ambulance Association’s 2012 Trade Show and Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada; a showcase for the medical transportation and emergency medical services industries.
The new emergency vehicle, which is mounted on a Mercedes chassis, features a radical departure from the industry norm of plain colored walls and sterile looking interiors. The new patient treatment interior features include:
• soft interior colors – lavender, blue and burgundy
• ambient lighting
• original artwork featuring natural landscapes
• recessed lights
Life EMS Ambulance also hired Kalamazoo, Mich.-based SKP Design to create a more soothing and relaxing environment for patients.
“We are always looking at ways that we can create a safe, more patient-friendly approach in an environment that helps reduce stress during what might be one of the most stressful experiences in their lives,” said Mark Meijer, president of Life EMS Ambulance. “This is not your standard ambulance interior; this vehicle is a radical departure from the norm and begins to look at how we can use today’s technology to create a totally new patient experience.”
AEV and Life EMS Ambulance teamed up at the onset of the vehicle’s design to reshape not only how equipment is accessed and how emergency personnel work in the space, but how the compact environment affects the patient.
“We don’t just assemble ambulances, we work closely with our customers to craft a world-class vehicle,” said Mark Van Arnam, CEO of AEV. “With Life EMS Ambulance, we had an opportunity at the design phase to influence innovation that changes how we can positively impact the patient experience inside an emergency vehicle.”
Life EMS Ambulance plans to use this design platform to eventually replace its 60-ambulance fleet. The new design comes on the heels of Life EMS Ambulance’s recent introduction of a safety concept vehicle with the innovative, industry-first changes in how paramedics interact with patients during emergency transport. Those design elements included forward facing sets for medical personnel, a five-point restraining system, surfaces with rounded and padded corners and other features.
About Life EMS Ambulance:
Since 1980, Life EMS Ambulance has consistently reduced response time while providing compassionate emergency care. Life EMS Ambulance was the first ambulance service in West Michigan, and among the first in the U.S., to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, the gold standard in the EMS industry. Life EMS Ambulance serves more than 3,500 square miles of West Michigan, including Grand Rapids/Kent, Portage/Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Ionia, Newaygo, Lake, Mason and Allegan counties. For more information, visit: www.lifeems.com.
About AEV:
American Emergency Vehicles is a leading manufacturer of ambulances whose uncompromising commitment to safety and integrity builds ambulances to customer specifications on all chassis platforms including Type I, II, III and Medium Duty. AEV is a proud member of Ford’s QVM Program, Sprinter’s Customer Assurance Program and GM’s SVM Program, Ambulance Manufacturer’s Division of NTEA. Visit AEV at www.aev.com or call 800-374-9749 for details.
