AmbuServe Inc.

AmbuServe, Inc. is one of Southern California's fastest growing ambulance services.

AmbuServe Inc.

AmbuServe Inc.

Leadership:  
CEO-Melissa Harris
Medical Director-Sameer Mistry
CAAS Coordinator-Julie Crawshaw

Location:
15105 S. Broadway
Gardena, CA 90248
PH: 310-644-0500
FX: 310-644-4500

Key Statistics:
Provider Type:BLS, ALS, SCT

Number of Medical Transports:
2005 = average of 1700 calls per month
2006 = average of 3000 calls per month
            
                                          
Estimate Population of Total Area Served:
LA County = 9,500.000 approx
Orange County = 2,900,000 approx

CAAS Q&A - November 2006 

Q. What are the most important improvements your agency has made in the past year?

A. AmbuServe has made many improvements during this 2006 year. We expanded our actual site to provide for the increase in our fleet. We added marketers to our team and have secured more hospital and clinic contracts increasing volume and revenue. We have also re-instituted our SCT program. Education and inservices have become a bigger priority and have in return helped with retention.

Q. What financial benefits have you seen to accrediting with CAAS?

A. As mentioned above the increase in the number of ambulances, employees and programs as well as the new contracts have resulted in an increase in revenue.

Q. Has accreditation led to a decrease in employee turnover either at the lower levels or management levels?

A. We have not noticed a marked change in field personnel but management shows higher retention and overall satisfaction.

Q. Have your employees noted other improvements in their work as a result of accreditation?

A. Our employees have seen an increase in organization from scheduling to time cards to accountability for behavior, paperwork and everything in between. With the completion of the CAAS manual we re-wrote our employee manual. It is much more comprehensive and complete. All employees were given a copy of the new and improved manual at the beginning of 2006.

Q. Do you feel you provide better patient care as an accredited agency and in what areas? What aspects of accreditation led to these clinical improvements?

A. I think the overall performance from inventory checks to patient care has improved due to the structure that CAAS gave us. Employees have reference points and numerous resources available to them now. Having to involve the whole organization and work as a team to become accredited gave employees a sense of belonging and pride within the company and that sense of satisfaction in doing a job has positively influenced every aspect of AmbuServe.

Q. What other benefits has management noted following accreditation?

A. Management in all departments has shown more of an interest in their own professional growth. Department heads have taken advantage of seminars, managers meeting are more frequent, positive communication has increased.

Q. What advice would you give other agencies that are considering or on the fence about CAAS accreditation?

A. An organized company runs so much more efficiently and no matter how organized you think you are CAAS ups your game. I would let them know that the investment, financially and time wise more than pays for itself.

Q. For an agency that is just about ready for their first on-site review, what words of advise would you share?

A. BE PREPARED. The site review was probably the most nerve racking but rewarding for me personally. The site coordinators are there to help you improve your company. The feedback is always constructive. Be prepared to learn a lot!!! CAAS accreditation is an extremely positive and rewarding experience.

AmbuServe Inc. In Action

AmbuServe strives for excellence in all aspects of pre-hospital care from dispatch and transportation, to patient care as well as all areas of customer service.