When seeking the best non-emergency medical transportation for wheelchair and stretcher patients it’s important to ask what vehicles a company uses. The actual vehicle as well as the equipment installed inside of vans will greatly determine the overall safety and comfort of a patient.

The latest hydraulic lifts and ramps help with some of the grunt work, making it easy to get patients in and out of vehicles regardless of their physical condition. Not only do the latest transportation systems for stretchers and wheelchairs keep patients comfortable, but they also prevent many serious injuries in the instance of an accident. 

Here is a look at some of the latest wheelchair and stretcher transportation technology, as well as safety guidelines.

Latest Wheelchair Transportation Technology

Wheelchair transportation has made vast improvements over the years. Today’s market includes vehicles fully equipped to load, unload and properly secure wheelchairs in place. These systems are crash test compliant and proven comfortable and safe for patients of all ages.

The most important features of a wheelchair van include:

  • Proper equipment to secure the wheelchair in place. These restraints need to be strong enough to hold the chair in place even in the instance of a crash. Depending on the type of wheelchair you have different secures are necessary, and should all be available to secure any patient.
  • Proper seatbelts that work with the wheelchair and the van need to be in place to keep the patient as secure as their wheelchair in the instance of a crash or unexpected quick stop.
  • The patient should not have to get out of their wheelchair; instead they should be able to remain in their chair the entire ride to prevent discomfort and strain.
  • There should be enough headroom for the patient to comfortably sit inside of the van in their chair. This means vans must be built to fit wheelchairs of varying sizes.

Our one-of-a-kind fully customized minivans are equipped with the latest wheelchair transportation technologies. As a result, loading and unloading is easier than ever, plus the actual ride is more comfortable and safer.

Latest Stretcher Transportation Technology

Stretcher transportation must be handled with utmost care to prevent injuring the patient or putting them in any discomfort. If a patient is bed-bound or unable to move due to a recent procedure, such as hip surgery for example, stretcher transportation is the only way to safely move them to and from appointments. Another instance when stretcher transportation is important is if the patient will need to climb onto an examination table at their appointment. If this will cause undo strain, discomfort or even possible injury for the patient we highly recommend transporting them to the appointment by stretcher. This way they can be placed on the examination table without the risk of climbing up on their own. 

The latest Stryker hydraulic stretcher loading systems are key to loading and unloading stretcher patients with swift ease. These are the same systems used by the Fire department to transport stretcher patients. These electric hydraulic systems are capable of holding up to 500 pounds.

Once the stretcher is inside of the vehicle it must be properly secured in place to keep it from moving. When fully secured the device should not be able to move more than 2 inches. In order to make this possible special hardware is connected to the vehicle which securing straps can be attached to. The webbing material used for these restrains should measure 1.8 inches or wider and must be able to at the very least withstand 6,000 pounds of pressure.

More than on person is also a must when transporting anyone in a lying down position. This is why we always send at least 2 drivers on location for all stretcher transportation. 

We have fully-customized minivans with unmatched technology for stretcher transportation that easily outpaces the competition. Our drivers are trained to properly handle any situation, and go through sensitivity training to ensure you have a comfortable ride. Plus, we offer door through door services, meaning we help get you out of your home and into your appointment.

Contact Stellar Transportation today to schedule local medical transportation or long-distance medical transportation in Florida and beyond!