Transporting

Subject: Patient Transportation for Medical/ Dental Appointments and medication deliveries

Procedure:

1. Patient contacts the Community Health Representative (CHR) to schedule transportation after all other resources have been exhausted.
2. If CHR is unavailable for your call, leave a voice message with your name, phone number, date, and time of your appointment. Messages left after hours will be addressed the following business day.
3. CHR will confirm the appointment time and pick up time or decline the appointment with brief explanation.
4. Medication deliveries are available after 2 p.m. Monday- Friday. Deliveries will be made based on availability of staff, no guarantees.

Policy: Transportation will be provided to Lower Sioux community members and those who qualify for IHS; by designated community health transportation staff, residing within the ten-mile radius when all other means of transportation have been exhausted by the individual, family, or friends. Request for transportation for reasons as not wanting to use a personal vehicle or pay for gas are not means of exhausting resources.

1. If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 911, not the CHR.
2. Request for transportation must be made 24 hours in advance to the CHR; less than a 24-hour notice will be evaluated based on availability of staff and community vehicles. 48 hours are needed for out-of-town appointments that are outside of Redwood Falls, Springfield, or Olivia.
3. Scheduling takes place on a first come, first-serve basis.
4. Recurring appointments (e.g., physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy) will be scheduled as we can accommodate and should be scheduled locally (Redwood Falls or Springfield).
5. Transportation is to and from the appointment only. No stops or delays are allowed.
6. Only the patient with the appointment and their legal guardian can be transported – not the entire family.
7. Minors (17 & under) must be accompanied by a responsible adult to appointments.
8. Employee drivers cannot supervise children or others during the appointment.
9. Smoking in any form, chewing tobacco and vaping are prohibited in all community vehicles. Smoking will result in denial of transportation for a period of time determined by the Health Director.
10. If a procedure involving sedation or anesthesia, a legal guardian (spouse, parent, or another designee) is required to attend with the patient. The driver is not required to remain in the facility the entire time of the appointment.
11. CHR Drivers are to be prepared prior to each transport with adequate gas, insurance cards and vehicle necessities. Upon return the driver is to gas the vehicle and remove any trash.
12. Patients actively under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be denied transport.
13. During staff workshops and training sessions, transportation may not be available.
14. Transportation will not be available on Lower Sioux Community Recognized Holidays.
15. In the event cancellation is needed, every effort will be made by staff to find a replacement driver. Patients will be notified of cancellation by phone for any one the following reasons:
    1. Driver illness or absence.
    2. Disaster/emergency response.
    3. Vehicle break-down.
    4. Inclement weather. Determining factors include:
       • Closure of the tribal offices due to weather.
       • State Department of Transportation warnings and closures.
       • Destination of the transport.
       • Area school closures.
       • Final determination is made by the Health Director or Tribal Council in their absence.
    5. Patients Shall be informed of their responsibilities which include:
    6. Be ready at specified time and location for pick up.
    7. Plan ahead for long trips by bringing all items needed (medication, snacks, etc.)
    8. Removing personal items / garbage upon completion of transport.
    9. Schedules and communicates with the appointment provider directly.
    10. Communicates cancellation or any changes in appointment time, or rescheduling to the CHR.
    11. Refrains from negativity, swearing, inappropriate conversation or behavior.
    12. Failure to follow policy will result in suspension or termination of riding privileges.

*Revised December 2023