Medical transport services can also be used by patients that only require minor procedures, or just a ride to a standard exam. Not every transport has to be a medical emergency. Some patients have no one to drive them to a simple dental appointment where they are receiving numbing or anesthesia. Wisdom tooth extraction or even cavity fixes require at least minimal drug administration, and no one should be driving home the influence of medically-induced drugs. Crowns and implants also require drugs and therefore, it is safer to have another party driving. Even going to the dentist can be impossible if a patient is suffering nerve damage or be in such pain that they cannot drive. Plus, many dental procedures are performed by surgeons in outpatient centers which are in different locations than the traditional dentist. Safe transportation to and from outpatient centers is essential for the safety of both the patient and others on the road.
There are plenty of outpatient surgeries that do not require the services of an ambulance but are still serious enough to require a driver to transport the patient. For example, colonoscopies are a routine examination procedure that utilize drugs that put a patient to sleep for a short period of time. It is far too dangerous for a patient to drive home after waking up. Countless cosmetic surgeries are performed in outpatient facilities, including rhinoplasty and breast implants. Forget about driving a car after cataract surgery or anything else involving eye surgery or even a standard eye exam. The dilation of the eyes causes one not to be able to operate a vehicle safely, and they should not even attempt it. Individuals that do not have a driver available on their surgery date can utilize the services of non-emergency medical transportation. Not to mention it is a good idea to have a professional medical escort available in the event of a post-surgery accident, like the ripping of stitches or if an intravenous needle falls out.
Senior citizens are some of the biggest clients of non-emergency medical transportation. Many seniors live in retirement homes, a good distance from relatives or friends, but still may have many medical needs. Ironically, they are the people that have some of the most medical needs but live the most isolated lives or in the most isolated places. Even if seniors live close to relatives, they do not always have time to help the elderly with all their needs. Though some services do not pick up from nursing homes, others do, depending on the service. One simply has to put in a little research, as most services have their terms outlined on their website or over the phone. Senior citizens can use non-emergency medical transportation to get a ride to and from the dental office or optometry appointment, for example. These services are also eligible for prescription drug pick-up, which can be a huge part of the average senior’s health and lifestyle. Yet, many seniors are no longer eligible to drive, which can be unsafe if they attempt to do so. Therefore, having medical personnel at their disposal helps a great deal.
Seniors can also get a ride with the services to their physical therapy appointments at a designated center. Becoming more physically active can help a senior become mobile and maybe even drive again at a later date. However, they may never get to that stage if they have no one to drive them. The benefits to senior citizens are immense, but those people are not the only ones who can benefit from the service.