Transferring between healthcare facilities—such as from an acute care hospital to a rehabilitation center, sub-acute facility, or nursing home—can be a stressful event for patients and their families. Ensuring every logistical and medical detail is pre-arranged turns a potentially complicated moving day into a calm, streamlined experience.
1. Coordinate Early with the Discharge Nurse or Social Worker
Timing is everything in hospital discharges. Hospital discharge rounds usually occur in the morning, while receiving facilities often prefer patient arrivals by early afternoon. Inform the charge nurse or discharge planner that you are coordinating with Ontime Patient Transfer so medical release paperwork, personal belongings, and prescriptions can be prepared ahead of the scheduled pickup window.
2. Verify Necessary Medical Details
When communicating with our dispatch team at +1 (613) 329 1319, having the following details ready ensures our attendants are fully prepared:
- Patient Mobility Status: Can the patient bear weight, or is a full stretcher transfer required?
- Oxygen Requirements: Does the patient require continuous supplemental oxygen during transit?
- Infection Control & Isolation Precautions: Any droplet/contact precautions so the crew can arrive with appropriate protective gear.
- DNR Status & Documentation: If a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) is in place, have a copy ready for transfer with the patient file.
"Early booking and clear medical handover notes ensure zero delays and maximum patient safety during hospital discharges."
- Ontario Healthcare Dispatch Guidelines
3. Pack Essential Personal Belongings Appropriately
Keep personal items, assistive devices (glasses, hearing aids, dentures), and medication summaries easily accessible. Ontime Patient Transfer vehicles accommodate personal baggage and allow an accompanying family member or caregiver to travel alongside the patient whenever safety parameters allow.
