Is Your Non-Emergency Transportation Service "Safe?"

When it comes to driving and mobility, being safety-conscious is a good thing. We typically grow concerned about senior drivers, but rarely do we consider the safety when seniors are being transported by a non-emergency medical transportation provider. More specifically, how safe is your loved one when they require assisted ambulatory, wheelchair, or even stretcher transportation?

With a rapidly growing elderly population, an increasing number of seniors and disabled people are in need of assisted transportation to and from medical appointments, physical therapy, personal errands, family functions, and more. Especially for those with mobility challenges, accidents can happen within their residence, while being assisted to the vehicle, while loading and securing the passenger, traveling to their appointment, and then again when being returned.

The level of required assistance is in direct proportion to the patient’s level of mobility. A senior requiring only a steady hand or firm arm to hold while ambulating requires much less direct assistance as compared to someone requiring wheelchair or stretcher transportation. Similarly, if the patient is bariatric, chances are very good that multiple attendants will be required to safely secure and transport the patient.

When considering a transportation provider, many things that need to be considered to ensure your loved one is safe during the entire transportation process:

1. Is the transportation provider properly insured? For those relying on rideshare or independent providers, chances are very good they do not have proper “for-hire insurance.” Hence, should their be an accident, passengers will not be covered.

2. Is the driver(s) literally capable of assisting your loved one? Are they knowledgable, knowing how to properly use the equipment, and are they physically fit, capable of literally assisting seniors to navigate stairs, thresholds, and possible inclines when sitting in a wheelchair or secured on a stretcher?

3. What type of equipment does the transportation deploy? Is it safe, durable, and suitable for your loved one? When using the providers wheelchair and stretcher, you want confidence in know the equipment is serviceable and well maintained.

4. What are the driving habits of the driver(s)? Being concerned about a senior’s driving ability might seem like common sense, but what about the driving habits and record of the drivers? Are they drug tested? Does their employer check their Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for discrepancies, tickets, fines, DUIs?

5. Does the driver invest the necessary time required to properly load and secure the wheelchair/stretcher or do they cut corners in an effort to expedite?

6. Upon arrival at the destination, does the driver accompany your loved one all the way into their appointment and ensure they are properly checked in and received by facility staff?

7. When the appointment is complete and your loved one is ready to be returned, does the transportation service arrive in suitable time versus forcing your loved one to wait excessively?

At Van's Med Tec, our goal is to provide safe, reliable, and timely non-emergency medical transportation service that not only meets, but exceeds your expectations. In addition to screening and properly training our drivers, this goal starts by deploying ADA compliant vehicles and reliable equipment.

We welcome the opportunity to introduce our service to you and your loved one. Please feel free to contact us at (434) 836-5252 with any questions and even to discuss how we can provide transportation solutions to meet the possible mobility challenges.

Van's Med Tec is proud to provide you and your loved ones with safe and reliable non-emergency medical transportation.