October 2011

It always seems like it costs more than it should. Why so much? Because the distance traveled is based on round trip mileage. The unit and crew must return home. Secondly, long distance patient transports require two drivers and you want fresh wide awake drivers. Plus the drivers need to sleep in a bed lying down and not in the front seat sitting up, federal DOT regulations.  So,  you need a larger coach in which not only the patient has a bed but so does the second driver. Larger coaches cost more to purchase and to operate. Thirdly, you want a nurse to care for your loved one. Nurses cost more than a care giver or medical attendant or an emergency medical technician or paramedic- P-EMT. As is often the case you get what you pay for;  Professional drivers who are wide awake, a higher level of care with a nurse if the patient’s condition deteriorates and a smoother air-cushion ride in a larger unit. On a long distance medical transport it is worth the cost and still much, much less expensive than going by air ambulance.