LOXAHATCHEE – October 14, 2025—HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is proud to
announce the launch of a new, fully-integrated patient transport service for its most
emergent patients being transferred to and from its facility. The comprehensive services
offers advanced life support (ALS) and critical care transport (CCT) ground ambulance
services across Palm Beach County.
This dedicated transport program is built to align state-of-the-art technology with highly
trained clinicians to facilitate the safe and seamless movement of critical patients. The
service utilizes specialized teams, including EMTs, paramedics, nurses, respiratory
therapists, and physicians, to manage the complex transport needs of adult, pediatric,
neonatal, and high-risk obstetric patients.
Revolutionary Mobile Telemedicine: A Florida First
HCA Florida Palms West Hospital has developing plans to revolutionize critical care
transport with the debut of a mobile telemedicine program—a first for the state of
Florida. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to deliver immediate, hospital-level
specialty care while patients are in transit.
The mobile critical care ambulance will function as a remote extension of the hospital’s
specialized units. The setup includes a high-resolution fish-eye camera and a suite of
advanced telemedicine equipment. Caregivers can deploy specialized devices—such
as a digital stethoscope, Doppler, and wound camera—simultaneously streaming all
patient data directly to specialists. Physicians in the hospital’s ICU, PICU, NICU, and
OB units can monitor, assess, and guide care from a dedicated console, providing the real-time clinical visibility needed to accelerate diagnosis and treatment before the patient even arrives.
State-of-the-Art Fleet The fleet of ambulances is equipped with the most innovative technology in the industry
to support this level of advanced care. Key features include: Cardiac monitors capable of invasive monitoring and treatment.
Real-time data transmission and automated vehicle locators. Video laryngoscopy for secure airway management.
Automated chest compression devices and power stretchers. “Our transport program is different by design. It’s focused on integrating advanced healthcare logistics directly into the HCA Florida Healthcare system to further fulfill our mission to care for and improve human life,” said Dr. Jason L. Kimbrell, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital chief executive officer. “For patients who need us, especially when
every second counts, this service dramatically enhances the quality of critical care they receive.”
Expanding Access and Service
Beyond serving as a vital link for critical inter-hospital transfers, the new transport
service significantly broadens HCA Florida Palms West Hospital’s reach. It will facilitate
the safe movement of patients discharging to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and
behavioral health facilities. Additionally, the service will support transport needs for the
hospital’s new free-standing emergency room set to open in West Palm Beach next
year.
As a proven regional transfer hub, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital leads the HCA
system in Florida, receiving over 2,500 inbound patients annually, with 1,700 patients
being transferred from safety net and critical access hospitals across the region, a
testament to its mission-driven focus on increasing access to care.
“We are grateful to the Palm Beach County Commission for approving our request to
offer this essential service,” Kimbrell added. “This is a tremendous value-add for the
residents and visitors of Palm Beach County.”
The transport services will be fully operational at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital later
this month. HCA Florida Healthcare operates a similar, successful transport service
model in 17 sites across the state.
