Focus on Drouin
A donation from the Drouin Lions Club has allowed the Drouin Ambulance team to buy a Vacuum Immobilisation Mattress.
The Vac Mat is used by rural ambulances and Air Ambulance for patients with suspected spinal injuries, who require full immobilisation. This includes car accidents and falls from height.
The main benefit of a Vac Mat is that it moulds evenly and securely around the patient using beads and an air pump. It provides stability and comfort to the patient and an equal distribution of pressure around the body surface, which provides for safer transport to hospital for this type of patient.
The Drouin Ambulance team is staffed by paramedics 24 hours a day. Two ambulances are located at the branch to cover shift changeovers and to allow for a second ambulance to be available for surges in demand.
Previously the team had one Vac Mat that was kindly donated by the Warragul Ambulance Auxiliary. However, when this had been used for a patient that Vac Mat would be transported to Melbourne (often by helicopter) and would take several days to return to the Drouin branch.
A second Vac Mat funded by the Drouin Lions Club enables both Drouin ambulances to be stocked routinely, and also allows for times where one has been used and is unavailable for several days.
The donation is an example of the community and Ambulance Victoria working better together to give patients in the community the best care, every time.
The equipment will benefit the West Gippsland community and the Drouin ambulance team appreciate the donation.