Re: Has anyone ever used a medical escort service?

MalteseMomma · ‎03-09-2010

Most eye surgeons do have cars that pick you up and take you home

. As for the colon, you can take a cab home yourself!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@noodleann wrote:

I do not plan to have sedation if I'm scoped. I know it will be more uncomfortable than the unsedated cataract removal was, but it's worth it to reduce the sedation risks and be bright and bushy-tailed, if cranky, post-procedure.
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@noodleann I have had many colonoscopies where the anesthesia was inadequate and I was awake for the whole thing. It was very uncomfortable but bearable. I was so happy when they started usingPropofol which puts you out instantly and deeply but you wake up totally alert and ready to go. It's great stuff.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Big Time · ‎04-24-2010

I used Uber. I never told anyone. No problems.

aubnwa01 · ‎03-09-2010

My gastroenterologist's office only uses one "cab" service for getting to & from colonoscopy appointments. The service had to be thoroughly vetted thru their office before they'd allow a patient to use them because of concerns that someone could take advantage of someone who's had sedation for the procedure.

I've had 3 colonoscopies since I moved here (I'm on the every 5 years schedule & one of the 1st things my new doc down here did was refer me to this gastro to get the test because I was overdue when I moved) & used them without problems, until my most recent test last summer.

The 2 previous times I had the test, the gastro's nurse gave me the name & number of the service & I called in advance & arranged the pickup time & the center where the test is done would call when my test was done for a ride back home & it was fine.

Last summer, the gastro doc's nurse gave me a list at my initial scheduling appt. of taxi companies. The name of the service I'd previously used wasn't on it, so I called the 1st number, a local taxi co. 2½ weeks in advance & gave them the time I needed to be picked up. The person I called at the taxi co said the driver would call me when they were nearby. The place where the test is done is only 2 miles from my house.

On the morning of my test, after I'd done all the fun prep for the test, I waited & waited for the taxi to arrive & no call & no cab. A few minutes before they were supposed to have picked me up, I called the taxi co. & was told by the dispatch girl that the cab would be there in about another 2 hours. 2 hours?? I told the girl I'd called well in advance for pickup & expected they'd be on time for a scheduled medical appt. I called the next number on the list & the guy was very nice, but told me he couldn't get here in time to get me there. I nearly drove myself & figured I'd take a cab home & go get my car later if nothing else, but I didn't want to have to do the prep all over again. In desperation, I called my neighbor, who I'd seen out in her yard at 6:45am, so I knew she was up & dressed & she said she could give me a ride & I walked thru the door at exactly the time I needed to be there on the dot, since it was so nearby. I was shaking from all the upset & my BP was really high when they took it.

Turned out the service that I'd previously used had been sold & the name changed & was now the 2nd name on the list that the dr's office gave me, but it was the only one that the surgical center would allow patients to use. (the gastro's office is adjoining the surgicenter, but I guess they didn't confer on this list, since the center allowed only the one cab service to transport) What a mess!

The center called the approved place for my pickup to come home after the test & he was very nice & took the list that the dr's office had given me & said he'd have a chat with them, because the surgicenter wouldn't allow anyone but him to transport patients.

Next time, I plan on verifying with the surgicenter beforehnad who they'll allow to transport people rather than just believing the list the dr.'s office gives me.

OP, call the place who's doing the test to see if they have any local cab/transport services that they allow patients to use to get to & from appts.

Sorry this was so long, but I'm still angry about it!

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
No, I have never heard of such a service. I know the hospital I work for doesn't offer it and I doubt seriously that they recommend one to patients. It must be something patients arrange for themselves. I can't really see myself coming home from hospital sedated with a complete stranger. I believe that most, if not all, hospitals would arrange for post procedure observation if a patient was open and honest and explained that they just do not have anyone who could escort them home or stay with them. You'd probably have to speak with social services and your doctor but the hospital would work something out. This escort serive by heaven only knows who just makes me nervous.
@chrystaltree I don't know about you, but when I finish a colonoscopy, I'm wide awake and rearin' to go. Same with any conscious sedation. The afternoon after I had cataract surgery in the morning, I went to the dentist. I don't need a driver but the clinics have to cover themselves.

I've never used a medical escort as I have a "you drive me, I'll drive you" agreement with friends. I have seen their vehicles around town and wouldn't hesitate to use them.

It gets even worse, they have cars driving around town advertising this service??? That's a risk, I personally would never take. I'd take a taxi or Uber or Lyft home, if I needed a ride to my home but I draw the line at invitng a complete stranger into my home.

CLEM · ‎03-09-2010

Thank you for posting this information. I have never hears of this service but it is sorely needed. So far I have always had someone to come with me, but this may not always be the case in the future. I will be investigating this here in the area where I live.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@chrystaltree wrote:

It gets even worse, they have cars driving around town advertising this service??? That's a risk, I personally would never take. I'd take a taxi or Uber or Lyft home, if I needed a ride to my home but I draw the line at invitng a complete stranger into my home.

@chrystaltree They have vans driving around taking patients to and from their appointments with the name of the company on them. I doubt it would be necessary for them to enter your home unless you need assistance. I'd say you're more than a little paranoid. What would be the difference between a public taxi and a medical escort Service? I'd trust a driver trained to help those who might be incapacitated, most of whom are women.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Swissguy · ‎02-12-2017

@noodleann wrote:
Medical escort services are firms that provide someone who can drive you to a doctor or hospital for a medical procedure requiring sedation, show up and sign you out when you're ready to go home and drive you there. I am not sure if they also provide the 24-hour companion service that many hospitals now require after having sedation or a procedure, but it's possible to hire a home nurse for that.

Anyone who's single and isolated or suddenly finds that friends have died, moved away, or become too incapacitated themselves to help will understand the value of this service. I have never had a colonoscopy because of this requirement, and had both cataract surgeries done without sedation to avoid issues (I had a friend who both transported me and stayed with me, but he's since married and moved away).

I've started making inquiries about such a service at my two local hospitals, but wondered if anyone had ever used an escort and how it worked out.

@hckynut, please don't beat me up because of the colonoscopy. I have gotten the occult test done nearly every year. Yuck.

I just used one this year!

I was having some issues that needed a last minute endoscopy! None of my friends or famly was available given the short notice and the drs office recommended a medical escort service. On very short notice the sevice was able to accomidate me and it worked very well.

After the procedure, I waited just a few moments and the owner of the service greated me and drove me home. The cost was not bad--$55 dollars--which was about $30 more than a taxi would have cost. I had a lovely converstation on the way back and I am grateful to know about this type of sevice. Given that my friends all work and many don't have cars--as I live in downtown Boston--this kind of sevice is really nice option for me as a single person.

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

I have seen many cancer patients get dropped off and picked up by "services" meaning car services or similar means of transportation. Excellent idea and if you can't find someone call the closest cancer center to see if they can help.

shebamom · ‎03-18-2010

Our county Agency on Aging has a list of volunteers that will get you to appointments & bring you back home free of charge! Call your local agency and see if they have a volunteer service. Ours have taken people 100 miles away & back again.