Patient Transportation
Arranging for transportation home following an emergency visit, appointment, or hospital stay is every patient’s responsibility.
Home is considered one’s place of residence and includes, but is not limited to, retirement home, long-term care facility, supportive housing, convalescence care etc.
Please plan for transportation ahead of time with family or friends and tell a member of the healthcare team about these arrangements in advance, whenever possible.
Friends and family members are generally the first choice for transportation following care, but CMH recognizes that circumstances can arise when this may not be possible. The following information explains how patients and their families should plan for safe and timely transportation home.
Transportation Options After Your Hospital Visit
Planning how you will get home is an important part of your discharge plan. Whenever possible, please arrange your transportation before you are discharged from hospital. Transportation services may have limited availability, require advance booking, and may involve a fee.
Family, Friends and Caregivers
If possible, ask a family member, friend or caregiver to pick you up.
You may need someone to accompany you home if you have received:
- Sedation or certain medications
- A procedure that affects your ability to drive
- Instructions not to drive or travel alone
Please speak with your healthcare team if you are unsure whether you can travel home independently.
Community Transportation-Community Care
Community Care provides transportation for eligible residents. Advance booking is recommended and at times required.
Services may include:
- Accessible transportation
- Rural transportation
- Volunteer transportation
- Transportation to medical appointments
Taxi Services
A regular taxi may be appropriate if you are medically stable, able to safely get into and out of a vehicle, and do not require medical assistance during transportation. Please reach out to the registration clerk and or the emergency department staff for more details.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
If you are unable to travel safely in a regular car or taxi because of mobility or medical needs, private non-emergency patient transfer services may be an option.
These services may provide wheelchair, stretcher, ambulatory or assisted transportation. Fees apply. Please reach out to the emergency department staff for more details.
PLEASE NOTE: Transportation providers are independent services. CMH does not endorse or guarantee the availability, cost or quality of any transportation provider listed.
Patients and families are responsible for confirming eligibility, availability, booking requirements and fees directly with the transportation provider.
Important
Ambulance transportation is not a routine transportation option home.
Ambulance transportation is intended for patients who have a medical need for ambulance-level care. If you simply do not have a ride home, speak with the healthcare team as early as possible during your hospital visit so available options can be explored.
Discharge to Home
Discharges from CMH occur no later than 11:00am and all patients should be ready to leave their room by this time. Patients may be asked to wait in the lobby, lounge or waiting area if their transportation has not arrived before 11:00 am to allow their room to be prepared for the next patient who needs it.
Plan Ahead
Before coming to hospital, if possible:
- Arrange a ride home
- Confirm who will pick you up
- Tell staff if you use a wheelchair, walker or other mobility equipment
- Ask about transportation options early in your visit
- Confirm whether you require an accessible, wheelchair or stretcher vehicle
- Ask about costs before booking a private transportation service
