Ford Motor Company is now offering its GoRide non-emergency medical transportation service across the Detroit Medical Center network. That brings the company’s total hospital systems served to nine.
“Helping patients with mobility issues or no access to transportation make it to their medical appointments on time and in a safe and comfortable manner is a key part of delivering on our DMC mission,” said DMC Chief Strategy Officer Joel Keiper. “This collaboration with Ford GoRide is one example of how we work to address the needs of our community members and collaborate to provide beneficial solutions that improve the patient experience.”
The program depends on a network of medical appointment schedulers, dispatchers and Ford Transit vans outfitted specifically to transport people with mobility challenges, and has a 97% on-time pick-up and delivery rate. Patients often use the services to access rehabilitation or services related to chronic illnesses.
According to the National Conference of Staff Legislature, approximately 3.6 million Americans fail to receive healthcare due to a lack of transportation. This problem is potentially even more prevalent in Detroit, where according to the U.S. Census, the number of people without a vehicle is 16 percent higher than the national average. Without reliable transportation, many patients miss their appointments.
GoRide drivers receive extensive training – including training in passenger assistance safety and sensitivity to enable the highest levels of safety for wheelchair passengers. They also understand patient rights and know how to perform CPR.
