We return again for our final installment in our Bambi Knows Best three-part series, Along for the Ride, to meet one last group of the varying kinds of NEMT passengers.
In this third and final issue, we look to riders who need to be serviced and supported with a stretcher. These individuals require taking their non-emergency medical transportation while lying down due to their particular medical condition(s) and/or recovery from a surgery.
Stretcher-bound passengers present quite the unique set of challenges and require a much higher level of care and attention during their journeys. Because for one, there’s a lot more bells and whistles on the contraption from straps to be mindful of (and not get tripped up on) to wheels to roll around. They also tend to take up a lot more real estate in an NEMT vehicle than a wheelchair would, so it really makes a difference how many other passengers — or dear Bambi friends — can be picked up on this same route. There’s a good chance it’ll be a lift for the sole stretcher rider and potentially only their plus one of a helping hoof caretaker.
Just like their wheelchair-bound and ambulatory counterparts, stretcher-requesting riders bring their own niche needs and experiences to the journey. Caring for these types of passengers involves more than just providing the stretcher and a vehicle that it fits in — it requires stretching your mind to lean into that forethought — not only future-proofing your vehicle by planning head for these stretcher-needing passengers, but sustaining your NEMT business for the long-haul as there will always be vulnerable folk who need to travel via stretcher. Specialized equipment to hook, lock in and secure the stretcher are additional things to think about, as well as hiring highly trained staff to take care of these intricate devices that come in many sizes, shapes and at varying price points.
In general, it’s important to equip your NEMT fleet with the necessary space and tools to safely transport stretcher-bound patients. Do you have protocols in place to handle the loading and unloading of stretchers efficiently and safely?
Here are a few other necessary things to keep in mind when taking care of riders needing stretchers:
Communication is vital: Drivers should be trained to communicate clearly with stretcher-bound passengers and their caregivers to ensure all needs are met throughout the journey. Do they need special medical equipment to accompany the stretcher during transport? Are there any specific instructions for handling the patient? What injuries should you be mindful of as you strap in the patients?
Accessibility stretches beyond the van: Ensuring that pickup and drop-off locations are suitable for stretcher use is important. Vehicles must be equipped with the right stretchers and securing systems that fit the vehicle’s interior specs perfectly to guarantee patient safety. Some may require it, other stretchers may not, but find out if yours will need a ramp and/or lift to in- and off-load.
Emergency preparedness: NEMT drivers must be trained to respond effectively to emergencies and coordinate with medical professionals when necessary as folks who need to ride via stretchers are, in most cases, more vulnerable than wheelchair-bound and ambulatory riders. Can your team handle unexpected medical situations during the ride? Are your drivers trained beyond that basic first aid and emergency procedures to ensure confidence in not only the driver but the patient, too?
Always evolving: The billion-dollar NEMT industry is constantly transforming, and providers should always strive for continuous improvement in their services. Fielding feedback from passengers who request stretchers and actually implementing such feedback will enhance the overall experience for future stretcher-requesting riders.
And as you know by now, each passenger will have their own story and set of challenges, so it's your due diligence and duty to be empathetic, patient and respectful as you provide them with the dignified care they deserve.
Well that’s it folks! That’s the end of the road of Along for the Ride, for now. We’re Disney fans after all, so even when we close a chapter, it doesn't mean we’ll never open up that fairy tale again — to add more tales and tails to the story. In fact, it just stretched across our minds that it might be fun to look at those passengers considered “plus ones” to the riders going for their medical appointments. Just like our dears, we see these caretakers as not sure helping hooves, but heroes in the lives of NEMT riders.
So stay tuned! We might just have a Season Two of Along for the Ride. No promises, but maybe we’ll create a spin-off (or wheel-off!) series someday.
.webp)
