Knowledge centre
Ambulance and patient transport glossary
We explain frequently heard terms about ambulances, equipment and patient transport in plain language. Click a term to read the full explanation.
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- 112 Emergency Call Centre
- The free emergency number in Türkiye that brings together calls for health, fire, police and gendarmerie services under one number.
A
- AED (automated external defibrillator)
- A defibrillator that analyses the heart rhythm itself and guides the user with voice prompts; it can be found in public places.
- Air ambulance
- An aircraft equipped with medical equipment for transporting patients by plane or helicopter.
- Ambulance
- A vehicle specially equipped to transport sick or injured people safely and allow them to receive care on the way.
B
- Bag valve mask
- A device made up of a bag, a valve and a mask, used to give manual breathing support to a patient whose breathing is inadequate.
- Bedridden patient
- A patient who cannot get out of bed, or can move only very little, because of illness, old age or disability.
C
- Cervical collar
- A medical support placed around the neck to limit its movement when a neck injury is suspected.
- Companion
- A family member or relative who stays with the patient during treatment or transport.
D
- Defibrillator
- A device that delivers an electric shock to help restore a normal heart rhythm in certain life-threatening rhythm disorders.
- Discharge
- A patient’s release from hospital after treatment is completed or when the doctor considers it appropriate.
E
- Emergency ambulance
- A type of ambulance equipped to provide emergency care at the scene and take the patient to a healthcare facility.
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- A healthcare professional working in emergency medical services, trained in first response and patient transport.
I
- Inter-hospital transfer
- Transporting a patient from one healthcare facility to another by ambulance.
M
- Medical oxygen
- Oxygen produced for medical use and given to patients who need it through a mask or nasal cannula.
- Medical repatriation
- Bringing a person who became ill or injured abroad back to their home country under medical supervision.
P
- Paramedic
- A healthcare professional trained in advanced emergency care at the scene and during transport.
- Patient monitor
- A device that continuously measures and displays values such as heart rhythm, pulse, oxygen saturation and blood pressure.
- Patient transport ambulance
- A type of ambulance used to move patients in a stable condition from one place to another on a planned basis.
- Planned patient transfer
- A non-emergency patient transfer whose date and time are set in advance.
- Private ambulance
- An ambulance service provided on request and for a fee, separate from the public emergency medical service.
- Pulse oximeter
- A device that measures blood oxygen saturation and pulse with a sensor clipped to the fingertip.
R
- Referral
- Directing a patient to another healthcare facility or unit for diagnosis or treatment.
S
- Scoop stretcher
- A stretcher that splits lengthwise into two halves so a patient can be lifted from underneath with minimal movement.
- Spine board
- A long, rigid board used to carry a patient with a suspected spinal injury while keeping the body straight and still.
- Stretcher
- A carrying device that allows a patient to be moved safely lying down and can be locked into the ambulance.
- Suction unit
- A medical device that uses a vacuum to remove secretions or fluids that could block the airway.
Do you need an ambulance?
In an emergency, call now. For planned transfers, fill in the form and we will call you.