Basic Life Support.

Basic Life Support, or BLS, is a level of ambulance care. Texas describes BLS in terms of noninvasive care. It is a clinical category, not simply another name for a scheduled ride.

When to start the conversation

For a planned trip, ask the treating care team whether ambulance transportation is appropriate and what level of support is needed. A routine appointment or a familiar destination does not answer that question on its own.

1. 01

   Clarify the recommendation

   Ask the treating team what transportation has been recommended and who can answer clinical questions.
2. 02

   Describe the journey

   Have the pickup setting, destination, preferred date and a callback contact ready for the conversation.
3. 03

   Confirm the arrangement

   Ask about the proposed transport, timing and any required next steps before making plans around a pickup.

• Who should discuss the patient’s transportation needs?
• What pickup and destination details are needed?
• How will the transportation arrangement be confirmed?

Contact MEDICS to discuss a transportation request. The appropriate arrangement and availability must be confirmed for the individual trip. Keep patient and medical details out of general email.

General reference: Texas: EMS terminology. This guide explains a category; the patient’s care team determines their care needs.