Understanding Ambulances: History and Purpose of Patient Transport Vehicles

The term "ambulance" does not only refer to hospital vans. The word "ambulance" comes from the Latin word "ambulare," which means "to walk or move." Originally, an ambulance was a movable hospital or a place where sick or injured people could be moved. Over time, ambulances evolved into specialized vehicles equipped with medical equipment and staffed with trained medical personnel.

Hospital vans specifically designed for patient transport are often called patient transport vehicles or non-emergency medical transportation vehicles.