Long-distance medical transportation is a necessity for many people, whether it be for travel or other reasons. In many places, there are a variety of public transportation services, including Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), that seniors and those with physical injuries or medical needs can take advantage of for safe and reliable transport.
This is especially necessary for those with pre-existing health conditions or who need constant monitoring and assistance from a medical professional, and to ensure your loved one remains comfortable throughout the ride and has the attention that they need, finding the right service provider is crucial. Here are some safety tips to help you plan long-distance medical transportation.
Types of Vehicles
While all NEMT transportation is for seniors and patients with medical needs, not every vehicle comes with the same tools, equipment, and expertise. Depending on whether your loved one needs a stretcher or wheelchair accommodation, some providers and vehicles may not be ideal for the task. Additionally, if specialized care such as electrocardiogram monitoring or oxygen administration is necessary, that will also affect your choice of vehicle and provider.
Check Credentials
To ensure safety and comfort for your loved one, you must make sure their driver has the right credentials for their specific needs. Experienced drivers will make sure every need is met and cared for, as they will have the training, qualifications, and prior experience to handle even patients with severe conditions. On the other hand, a novice driver that doesn’t have every qualification might not be able to care for your loved one adequately, depending on their needs.
Medical Clearance
Before allowing your loved one to embark on a long-distance trip, you should first consult with their healthcare provider, especially after any recent surgeries. Doing so will avoid any wasted time traveling—in the cases where complications develop because they were unfit to travel—and clearance can easily be obtained within 24 to 48 hours before they depart. Ideally, you should speak with a professional several days before departure to avoid any last-second complications.
Bariatric Transportation
For overweight patients, bariatric transportation may be a necessity. Such vehicles come specially equipped with bariatric stretchers and additional personnel to assist patients to their destination. Before hiring NEMT services, you should consult with a professional on whether bariatric accommodation is necessary or not to avoid any complications during transportation—if applicable. Additionally, bariatric services typically cost more than standard NEMT transportation, so be sure to factor that into your decision-making.
Door-To-Door Services
Some services will only pick up and drop off a patient at the curb of the point of embarkation and destination. With door-to-door transportation, drivers will assist you from your room and into the vehicle and will repeat this same process at the patient’s destination.
This may be necessary for anyone with severe disability or health conditions, so be sure to check whether it is available for you. Door-to-door is the safer option than curbside pick-up and drop-off, so consider NEMT servers that offer it if you have any concerns about moving the patient from their room to the vehicle without professional help.
Stay Connected
In the case of an emergency or to stay up-to-date while your loved one is in transit, ensuring the patient or the driver has the means to contact you is vital. That way, you can monitor their travel and be alerted in the event of an emergency.
Consider Stellar Transport For Reliable And Safe transportation
Stellar Transportation offers NEMT services with professionally qualified drivers to ensure your loved ones receive the care they need during transit. To book long-distance medical transportation, speak with a member of our team today.