Unfortunately,
where the Covid-19 epidemic has disturbed every sphere of life and halted
operations of many things, at the same time it has sabotaged both
transportation and health systems in the United States and across the globe.
While the rise in the cases of Covid-19 is at an all-time high in the entire
country back again, NEMT providers are looking for ways to carry on providing
their services in a secure manner. Coronavirus business impact on NEMT is
really big and the Covid after-effects are not yet known.
Remember
that each year, 3.6 million Americans forget/waste
or hold back medical reservations as a result of lack of transportation. But,
non-emergency medical transportation providers make every effort to reduce this
number and arrange trips to underprivileged or handicapped people who besides
that wouldn’t have a way to their appointments. While the world accommodates these
unpredictable and hard times with the harsh corona effect on NEMT, NEMT
companies must do the same. Delivering good customer service is the aim of
anyone running a NEMT business.
Hence, these
are some safety protocols for operating the NEMT business during the Covid-19
pandemic we have gathered based on our knowledge of the business as well as
considering medical precautions and proven data regarding Covid-19 and
transportation issued by CDC, CTAA, and other concerned agencies. Click
here
if want to know the key features of our customizable non emergency medical transportation scheduling software.
1
Driver and patient both should wear masks
For
Passengers: CTAA suggests all of its associated agencies
have masks of all passengers (this is for the protection of both drivers and
passengers). If possible, it is recommendable for adult medical transportation
operators to provide masks (cloth) to passengers trying to board without one.
For
Drivers: Well, considering and following the instructions issued
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) the Community
Transportation Association of America (CTAA,) suggests N95 masks (or the
Chinese equivalent KN-95). CTAA in recent days sent contact details for a KN95
mask manufacturer to all associates. In case you are not able to get N95 (or
the Chinese equivalent KN-95), CTAA suggests the use of common masks/face
coverings to reduce the propagation of the virus and help people who may carry
the virus and do not know it from transferring it to others.
2
Adjust with the times
At the moment, medical reservations are
carried out both face to face and virtually, depending on the need. The reality
is that some reservations are virtual completely means a decreased need in
NEMT. Though this is not good for your business, there exist other techniques
to make sure you are still getting your share. First, check out your patients
who have regular appointments scheduled. Do they still require trips? Are there
others who now require recurring trips, also? These patients are of greater
importance because they ensure you several trips.
3
Driver section/chamber hindrance
Keep in mind, CTAA suggests
that every one of its associates set up — as good as they can — driver sections
that isolate drivers from passengers. In certain circumstances, members are
doing this using shower curtains and other full-length transparent plastic
covers. Elsewhere, companies are sealing off many front rows of seats from use
to make a six-foot hindrance between driver and passengers. Moreover, if possible,
ask bus passengers to in and out of the bus through the rear entry doors.
4
Social distancing
Besides restricting trips to
essential purposes only, the CTAA advises of the social/physical distancing of
patients both between them and the driver as well as between patients if more
than one within a vehicle. Well, CTAA suggests obeying the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s minimum 6-foot distance instructions between patients
and drivers to ensure maximum safety against virus transmission. NEMT business
providers should consider well-planned deployment of ongoing services and
routes to prevent, as much as possible, overcrowding vehicles. Some NEMT
business providers are restricting the number of patients per vehicle, or even
adopting a ‘one driver, one vehicle, one patient’ rule to allow for low cross-contamination.
Other NEMT business providers have sealed off some seats in the van to ensure
that patients in case of more than one don’t sit too close to one another.
5
Van and transit facility sanitizing and cleaning
Aside from CTAA’s prior
recommendations to NEMT business drivers about proper vehicle and transit
facility cleaning, CTAA suggests sanitizing and fogging vehicles on a regular
basis. In case anyone on the vehicle is a Covid-positive, especially
adequate/fit for NEMT operations — the company should carry out, as promptly as
possible, a full cleaning and antimicrobial fogging of the vehicle. If a NEMT business
operator is unable to obtain a disinfectant fogging machine, CTAA suggests that
all high-touch surfaces be duly cleaned and sanitized many times throughout the
day, this is how to get rid of Covid while operating NEMT business. High-touch
surfaces involve booths, pinwheels, benches, railings, banisters, garbage cans,
bike racks, door handles, etc. CTAA instructs that during cleaning, transit
staff must wear disposable gloves and dress for all tasks in the process,
including handling trash.
6
Carrying a Covid-19 positive/infected patient
For those NEMT business
drivers who are uncertain of whether or not they should carry COVID-19 positive
patients, CTAA advises you to check with your state’s Public Health Department
and Medicaid Agency, despite being a NEMT business operator. A substantial
number of states are suggesting against the transportation of COVID-19 patients
by public transportation and NEMT providers, and favoring collaborations with
local EMS providers to safely carry these patients. Whatever decision you may
make, it should be made in tandem with your local public health officials.
7
Use the best NEMT software for better services during the pandemic
In case you are yet
operating without NEMT software there has never been a better time to make the
switch from manual and traditional ways. Saving time and money has become
important like never before. If you schedule so many drivers you are wasting
money while drive without a scheduled road you are wasting time. The
sophisticated custom software designed by the highly skilled professionals of
NEMT Cloud Dispatch manages both for you for utmost performance. With such
sophisticated software, you will get rid of keeping so many drivers, plus it
will plan and arrange the fastest path always, hence you save time and fuel on
each ride. If want to learn more about our customizable NEMT software, call
us today and talk with one of our experts!