Top 10 Safety Tips for Medical Transportation Riders in New Jersey

Staying Safe in Medical Transportation: What Every NJ Patient Should Know

Non-emergency medical transportation is generally a very safe service — reputable providers like Delta Medical Transportation invest heavily in driver training, vehicle maintenance, and safety protocols. But as a rider, you can take active steps to further protect your safety and ensure every trip goes smoothly. Whether you're a first-time NEMT user or a veteran of hundreds of dialysis trips, these 10 tips will help you travel with confidence.

Tip 1: Verify Driver Identity Before Entering the Vehicle

Before getting into any medical transport vehicle, take a moment to confirm you're with the right driver from the right company. Ask the driver:

• Their name
• The name of the company they work for
• Your name (they should already know it from the dispatch sheet)
• Your destination

Legitimate NEMT drivers are happy to provide this information and will expect you to ask. If a driver cannot confirm these basic details, do not enter the vehicle. Call your transport company directly using a phone number you've independently verified — not one provided by the driver at the scene.

Tip 2: Confirm Your Destination Before the Vehicle Moves

Before the driver pulls away from your address, verbally confirm the destination: the facility name, street address, and city. This takes 30 seconds and prevents situations where a miscommunication in dispatch sends you to the wrong location. For recurring appointments, you may feel this is unnecessary — but address updates, clinic relocations, and dispatch errors do happen. Confirming destination is always worth the moment it takes.

Tip 3: Always Wear Your Seatbelt — and Insist on Proper Wheelchair Securement

If you ride in a standard seat, wear your seatbelt. This is both a legal requirement and a fundamental safety measure. If you travel in your wheelchair, ensure the driver properly secures:

• All four wheelchair tie-downs — attached to the wheelchair frame at designated securement points (not to the seat, armrests, or footrests, which are not structurally sound)
• The lap belt and shoulder belt — a separate occupant restraint system worn across your body, independent of the wheelchair tie-downs

Never allow a driver to move the vehicle with your wheelchair unsecured. If you feel the securement was rushed or incomplete, ask the driver to re-check before departure. A reputable driver will welcome this — it protects you both. WC19-compliant wheelchair securement systems, when properly used, keep wheelchair riders as safe as ambulatory passengers in seatbelts.

Tip 4: Have Your Appointment Information in Writing

Bring a written or printed copy of your appointment details: the date, time, facility name, full address (including floor or suite number), and the name of the physician or department you're visiting. This helps if the driver needs to look up parking or entry points, if there's a question about the correct entrance to a large hospital complex, or if you become disoriented due to a medical episode during transport.

Tip 5: Bring All Necessary Medical Supplies and Equipment

Never assume equipment or supplies will be available at your destination. Bring everything you need for the appointment and the round trip, including:

• Medications and dosing schedule
• Blood glucose meter and supplies if you're diabetic
• Portable oxygen and sufficient supply for the full round trip plus buffer time
• Insurance cards and ID
• Your medication list
• Any durable medical equipment needed at the appointment (CPAP machine for sleep study, specific bracing, etc.)

Tip 6: Alert Your Driver to Medical Conditions That Could Affect the Trip

At the start of your trip, briefly inform your driver of any medical condition that could require action during transport:

• Seizure disorder — what it looks like, what to do if it happens
• Severe allergies — particularly latex allergy (relevant for gloves drivers may wear)
• Cardiac device (ICD) — no action needed for the driver, but good awareness if you receive a shock during transport
• Diabetes and hypoglycemia risk — "I'm diabetic; if I seem confused, please pull over and call 911"
• Any condition where you might suddenly need emergency services

This information allows the driver to act appropriately and quickly in an emergency rather than being caught off guard.

Tip 7: Keep Emergency Contact Information Accessible

Have the name and phone number of an emergency contact written down or clearly visible in your phone. If you have a medical emergency during transport, you may not be able to communicate this information yourself. A medical alert bracelet or wallet card with critical medical information (blood type, allergies, emergency contact, key medications) is an excellent addition for any patient with significant medical conditions.

Tip 8: Keep Your Phone Charged

A charged phone allows you to contact the transport company if the driver is late, call your physician if you feel unwell during transport, notify a family member of your arrival, and access your appointment information. Bring a portable phone charger (power bank) for long trips or days with multiple appointments. If you don't have a phone, arrange for a family member or facility staff to be your point of contact.

Tip 9: Allow Extra Time, Especially for New Locations

First trips to a new facility always have the highest risk of confusion — finding the right entrance, navigating a large parking lot, locating a specific clinic within a hospital complex. Allow extra time in your schedule for these first visits. Request an earlier pickup than strictly necessary so that navigation challenges don't cause you to miss your appointment. Over time, as both you and the driver become familiar with the facility, this buffer can be reduced.

Tip 10: Report Safety Concerns Immediately

If you experience a safety concern during transport — reckless driving, failure to secure your wheelchair, inappropriate driver behavior, a vehicle that seems unsafe — report it promptly:

• Contact the transport company directly (ask for a supervisor if needed)
• Contact your Medicaid MCO if the trip was Medicaid-covered — MCOs have quality oversight responsibility for their NEMT providers
• If the concern involves a potential crime or immediate safety issue, contact law enforcement

Your report helps protect not just you, but other patients who use the same service. Reputable providers like Delta take safety complaints seriously and investigate promptly.

Bonus: How to Safely Exit a Wheelchair Van

Exiting a wheelchair van via the lift is a step that many patients — particularly those newer to wheelchair transport — approach with anxiety. Here's how to do it safely:

1. Wait for the driver to fully deploy the lift and confirm it is locked in position before rolling onto it
2. Position your wheelchair completely on the lift platform with adequate clearance from the edges
3. Allow the driver to apply the lift safety strap if the vehicle is equipped with one
4. Keep your hands on your lap or on the armrests — do not reach for the van frame or lift structure while the lift is moving
5. Once the lift reaches ground level, wait for the driver to confirm it is stable before rolling off
6. Roll off the lift in the direction the driver guides you — not backward off the edge

Delta drivers are trained to guide patients through this process safely every time. Never hesitate to ask the driver to slow down or repeat a step. Your comfort and security matter more than speed.

For more information about arranging safe, reliable medical transport in NJ, contact Delta Medical Transportation or visit our wheelchair van transport page. We're also proud to serve patients across all regions of New Jersey.