Excellance builds critical-care ambulance for Madison Hospital
MADISON – Madison Hospital responded to indicators that showed a need about five years ago and has engaged Excellance Inc. to build a critical care ambulance for Critical Care Transport or CCT. It has been under construction and is expected to be ready later this year.
“The need really became apparent during COVID-19, and this (project) helps us to prepare for future health crises. Excellance won the bid, and their employees are building the truck to the specifications in the bid process,” Mary Lynne Wright, Madison Hospital President, said.
Hospital personnel and Excellance employees have collaborated on the CCT’s requirements in various conferences.
“We have patients that sometime need a higher level of care than we can provide,” Wright said. “Examples of medical conditions that would warrant the new ambulance are neurological issues, like strokes requiring Interventional Radiology; brain bleeds; trauma; and heart attacks requiring interventions in the catheterization or cath lab.”
Wright said the staff will evaluate more scenarios, as needs arise.
“Time is of the essence in these situations. Having Critical Care Transport or CCT on campus to transport these patients prevents us from waiting on our ambulance service to respond. It’s providing another level of service for our patients,” Wright said.
For ambulance service, Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. or HEMSI is now part of the Huntsville Hospital System; HEMSI services all of Madison County. “There is a HEMSI station behind Madison Hospital, but, again, they service this entire area and are often on scene calls when we need a critical transport,” Wright said.
Madison Hospital’s CCT is the same size as an ambulance. “However, the equipment is different. It’s basically an ‘ICU on wheels’ with special staffing, depending on the patient’s needs. For instance, if a patient is on a ventilator, we can send a Respiratory Therapist with the patient,” Wright said.
CCT personnel includes one EMT and one Paramedic. “Again, we will be adding staffing, depending on patient needs,” Wright said.
The CCT ambulance that Excellance is building will have colors for Huntsville Hospital System: white and green with gold accents. The vehicle will have identification for “Critical Care Transport” and “Madison Hospital.”
“Chairman Mac Mc-Cutcheon and the Madison County Commission graciously funded $250,000 to purchase the truck. There is a need for another $200,000 in equipment to ready the truck for initial use. We’re actively fundraising for that; we’re 50 percent there,” Wright said.
“Our wish list also includes an isolette (incubator) to transport newborns as needed, which would cost another $200,000,” Wright said. “Anyone interested in investing in this need for Madison Hospital and our community can contact me directly to offer a tax-deductible gift through Huntsville Hospital Foundation.”
Excellance employees will deliver the CCT vehicle to Madison Hospital in December. “We should be in operation in early 2026,” Wright said.
Excellance produces high-quality custom ambulances and emergency vehicles. A handcrafted vehicle from Excellance provides unmatched reliability and durability.
Excellance is located on Lanier Road in Madison. For more information, visit excellance.com.
