After delivering a major trauma patient to the hospital, what should you do if the ambulance is contaminated and you get another call?

The most appropriate action after delivering a major trauma patient to the hospital and finding the ambulance contaminated is to advise the dispatcher that you are out of service. This choice prioritizes safety and ensures that the ambulance is properly decontaminated before it is used again. Responding to another call without addressing the contamination could potentially expose both the crew and new patients to infectious materials or hazardous substances, violating protocols that are in place to ensure health and safety.

While the other options might seem expedient, they overlook the critical need to maintain a sterile and safe environment in the ambulance. Quickly proceeding to another call without cleaning could jeopardize patient safety; similarly, having a partner clean while responding may distract them from their duties and also compromise the cleanliness of the vehicle. Proceeding with limited emergency functions also poses risks, as it may not fully prepare the ambulance for critical situations that require all emergency capabilities.

Overall, notifying dispatch and taking the necessary time to decontaminate the ambulance reinforces adherence to protocols designed to protect patients, crew members, and the integrity of future responses, thus making it the best choice.