If a BLS ambulance hands care to an ALS ambulance, which unit will transport the patient?

• A. The BLS ambulance will transport the patient.
• B. The patient will be transported by private vehicle.
• C. The ALS ambulance will transport the patient.
• D. The hospital transport team will transport the patient.

Answer: (C)

When care is handed off from a BLS unit to an ALS unit, the ALS ambulance takes over transport. The transfer signals that the patient requires advanced monitoring and treatment capabilities that the ALS crew provides, so they assume responsibility for moving the patient to the hospital. The BLS unit may still assist on scene or support the transport, but the actual transport to the hospital is handled by the ALS unit. A private vehicle isn’t appropriate due to lack of medical supervision and equipment, and the hospital transport team is used for other interfacility or non-emergency scenarios, not this EMS handoff.