New Critical Care Transport Ambulance now serving Champaign-Urbana, surrounding areas

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — A new lifesaving resource is hitting the streets of Champaign-Urbana and surrounding communities.

Carle Health rolled out its new Critical Care Transport ambulance late last year. The new rig provides advanced care for critically ill or injured patients during transport.

"The vehicle will be utilized chiefly for inner facility transport, which is very sick or injured patients from facility A that needs to get to facility B, usually for a higher level of care--care that's not available in more rural communities," said Dr. Michael Smith, Associate Medical Director for Carle Regional EMS and Arrow Ambulance.

Doctor Smith, said the critical care transport unit is a game-changer for the region, enhancing the ability to provide timely and specialized patient care.

The state-of-the-art ambulance is equipment and offers enough space to safely transport up to two patients simultaneously. Along with a highly trained medical team—including critically trained nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians.

"As impressive as this vehicle is, that's the subtitle rather than the headline. What I think is the most important of this is not the metal and rubber on the wheels, it's the people we put inside," said Dr. Smith.

The Critical Care Transport ambulance was made possible through the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy.