What's the difference between Shanghai non-emergency patient transport and 120 emergency services? Many people confuse them.

In Shanghai, many families struggle to distinguish when to call 120 versus when to schedule non-emergency medical transport. While both services involve ambulances, they serve entirely different purposes. Using the wrong one could delay critical care.

What does 120 first aid cover?

120 is the public emergency medical system for acute, sudden-onset conditions such as chest pain, loss of consciousness, severe trauma, or major bleeding. These are medical emergencies that require calling 120. Ambulances provide on-scene care and rapid transport to the nearest hospital, saving every possible minute.

Ambulance equipment focuses on life-saving interventions, with standard gear including defibrillators, emergency medications, and intubation kits. Prehospital emergency personnel specialize in acute care and are highly experienced in handling emergencies. However, due to limited ambulance resources, priority is given to critical patients; non-emergency cases generally do not warrant an ambulance dispatch.

What does non-emergency transport cover?

Non-emergency medical transportation serves patients with stable conditions. Common scenarios include discharge from hospital, inter-facility transfers, routine follow-up visits, and rehabilitation transport. These patients do not require emergency care but face mobility challenges and need professional vehicles and personnel for assistance.

In Shanghai, non-emergency transport vehicles differ from ambulances. They are equipped with stretchers, wheelchairs, oxygen supplies, and monitoring devices, but lack defibrillators and emergency medications. The crew typically consists of nurses and drivers, specializing in patient care during transit rather than emergency resuscitation.

How do you decide which one to use?

Use a simple rule: assess the patient's current condition. If new severe symptoms appear suddenly—such as worsening chest pain, difficulty breathing, or confusion—it's an emergency; call 120. If the patient is stable but has mobility issues, such as post-discharge after surgery or transfer for rehabilitation, schedule non-emergency transport.

Another common scenario: A patient has been hospitalized and is discharged by the doctor but still cannot walk on their own. In this case, 120 is not needed; simply schedule a non-emergency transport. Reserve 120 resources for those who truly require emergency care.

Process for scheduling non-emergency transport

Booking non-emergency transport in Shanghai is easy. You can call or fill out an online form with your requirements, including pickup location, destination, patient condition, and preferred time. After evaluation, staff will arrange the vehicle and personnel, confirm the schedule, and arrive on time.

We recommend booking 24 to 48 hours in advance to allow staff time to prepare. Same-day requests are also possible, but availability cannot be guaranteed.

Guangzhou Kangshun Emergency Transport Co., Ltd. specializes in non-emergency medical transport services. For inquiries or to schedule a transfer, please contact us via the Kangshun official website online—we are here to assist you. Important reminder: In case of sudden illness or emergency medical situations, call 120 immediately and do not delay seeking treatment.