Private ambulances offer alternative

contributed by Yochonan Buksbaum, Directcare Patient Transfer Inc.

ne of the most psychologically distressing changes related to aging is the loss of independence that comes from no longer being able to drive—or in some cases, ride in—a car.

Where a person’s physical condition is so severe that they are required to be moved on a stretcher or need medical equipment, such as oxygen or I.V., they are not only faced with being unable to drive, but now they cannot even be driven by their loved ones, because a car is not suitable to their needs.

It is generally well accepted that the greater a sense of independence seniors have, the better their morale and hence their health. So what form of transportation can we provide for infirm or non-ambulatory seniors that best serves their needs and which provides them with an enhanced sense of independence?

Provincially-run emergency ambulances and Wheel-Trans type services are frequently used to transport seniors in non-emergency situations. This includes transportation from home to nursing home or hospital, from nursing home to hospital or social outing and back; from one hospital to another; or from nursing home to that much-loved visit with the family and back to the nursing home. Although these services are well run, they have significant drawbacks. The major problem with Wheel-Trans is the limited availability due to underfunding, and the fact that they cannot handle last minute appointments.

As for provincially-run ambulances, since they must give first priority to emergency calls, and as such their reliability and promptness is not very good in non-emergency situations. Seniors are sometimes left waiting in frustration for hours, resulting in missed appointments. These delays are particularly troublesome where they affect the prompt return of nurses who accompany patients.

The solution that more seniors and caregiving facilities are turning to is a privately-run ambulance service like DirectCare Patient Transfer Inc., which specializes in providing non-emergency transportation to the elderly and infirm. North York based DirectCare has a fleet of ambulances that have been servicing all major hospitals and numerous seniors’ facilities in greater Toronto and surrounding areas for almost three years. Because they do not have to worry about emergency calls like the provincially-run service, private services like DirectCare are able to take same day bookings and offer guaranteed promptness. Although service levels may differ from one private ambulance service to another, the benefits offered by most of these companies include:

1. Staff to accompany the patients, stay with them during a short procedure, and return with them, freeing nurses for more important duties.
2. A level of service equal to the Provincial Ambulance Service, and even better when it comes to promptness.
3. Guaranteed on-time service, with no waiting for transfers at pick-up or destination.
4. Clean, fully equipped, mechanically reliable ambulances.
5. Roomy, full size vehicles with lots of space for equipment such as monitors, oxygen, I.V., etc., and for family members or medical attendants accompanying the patient.
6. Dependable, radio dispatched 24 hour service, seven days a week.
7. Extremely competitive cost.
8. Courteous, highly skilled paramedics, trained to make patients feel as comfortable as possible.

For more information about the alternative of using privately-run patient transfer service, please contact Yochonan Buksbaum at (416) 741-9886 (Directcare Patient Transfer also has a Member page on this site).

If you would like to add your opinion, or better yet, tell your own story, email us today.

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