Standards of Excellence

Raritan Bay Medical Center is a major clinical affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network, an affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a recipient of the National Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence. All paramedics are certified by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

On the Front Lines of Health Care

On average, every resident in our community will call for emergency assistance at least twice during his or her lifetime — whether a loved one is experiencing a heart attack, seriously ill, or facing traumatic injury. And in most of those cases, Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be there, administering immediate medical care to those without time or ability to get to the hospital. So we bring the hospital to them.

Raritan Bay Medical Center’s EMS has been serving Central New Jersey for more than 20 years, providing mobile intensive care, special transportation, training and other vital programs to area residents and health care professionals.

Directed by a board-certified emergency medical physician, our team is focused on one thing — saving lives. From responding to emergencies to preventing them in the first place, our highly skilled professionals work in cooperation with local ambulance squads, police and fire departments and other health care agencies to care for area families, keeping them as safe and healthy as possible.

EMS operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day — equipped and prepared to handle any type of medical emergency. Our staff is truly on the front lines of health care, bridging the gap from the community to the Emergency Room, and extending help when and where it’s needed most.

Mobile Intensive Care Unit

Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Mobile Intensive Care Unit responds to approximately 5,000 calls each year in Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Old Bridge, Sayreville and surrounding communities. Our fleet of five state-of-the-art vehicles is staffed by certified paramedics trained in advanced life support, able to administer life-saving interventions such as electrical defibrillation, intravenous therapy and other procedures at the scene of an emergency. When necessary, paramedics use radios and telephones to work in tandem with physicians to expedite hospital treatment, including cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and surgery.

Specialty Care and Basic Life Support Transportation

The hospital’s Specialty Care Transport and Basic Life Support Transport offers inter-facility ambulance transportation for critically ill or injured patients as well as individuals who may require assistance traveling to a nursing home, assisted-living facility or another hospital.

Patients in critical condition are accompanied by a critical care nurse and paramedic, while others are escorted by two emergency medical technicians. This hospital-based service can also coordinate transportation needs for those who are unable to walk or drive to their doctor appointments, dialysis treatments, chemotherapy or other essential medical services. In most cases, transportation costs are covered by insurance. For more information about this service or to arrange for transportation, call 732. 324-5204.

Training & Education

Raritan Bay Medical Center provides Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) classes for the community and health care professionals. These courses are taught under the standards of the American Heart Association. Additionally, the hospital offers comprehensive training for emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Please call 732. 324-5393 for information about upcoming classes.

Outreach

As part of our mission, Raritan Bay Medical Center’s EMS actively participates in community health and wellness activities as well as emergency preparedness initiatives. Our vehicles and staff maintain a visible presence at local events, health fairs, schools and other youth organizations — speaking to aspiring health professionals, administering first aid, and spreading important health and safety information.

EMS also serves on local emergency response teams, helping local counties and municipalities plan for various types of disasters or incidents requiring a coordinated emergency effort.

In Case of Emergency

If you think you or someone you’re with is experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Calmly tell the dispatcher about what has happened. Explain the type of emergency, give your name and the phone number of the telephone you are using, and give the address of the emergency.
• Answer questions, and listen to the instructions provided.
• Don’t hang up until the dispatcher tells you to, and don’t leave the scene until help arrives.