Why different types exist
A patient going home after hip surgery and a patient on a ventilator do not need the same vehicle. Turkish ambulance regulations classify vehicles by purpose.
| Type | For whom | On board |
|---|---|---|
| Patient transfer ambulance | Stable patients, no treatment expected on the way | Stretcher, basic equipment, medical staff |
| Emergency ambulance | Patients who may need treatment on the way | Advanced monitoring and treatment equipment, emergency crew |
| Specially equipped ambulance | Intensive care, neonatal and similar needs | Dedicated devices and specialist crew |
When is a transfer ambulance enough?
Discharge journeys, check-ups and scans, dialysis and physiotherapy, moves between care homes and intercity trips for stable patients.
When is more equipment needed?
If the patient is on oxygen or ventilation, needs continuous monitoring, has intravenous medication running, recently had a serious episode or surgery, or the doctor has set special conditions.
The treating doctor’s answer to “can this patient travel on a stretcher without monitoring?” decides the vehicle. See patient transfer ambulance.