Keeping medical appointments is the first step to receiving essential health care. Yet, annually, over 3.6 million people in the U.S. miss their appointments, largely due to access problems.
No access to a dependable vehicle, the inability to use public transportation or simply not being able to travel alone due to physical, cognitive and mental impairments are among the challenges patients face on a daily basis. Inefficient, non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services also contribute to these challenges.
Tumi Oluyole, CEO of Oceans Drive Transportation experienced this firsthand while looking for a consistent NEMT service provider for his visuallyimpaired mother. He established Oceans Drive Transportation to bring a much-needed change in the sector and positively impact patients.
“Our mission is to tackle the crucial need for efficient NEMT services by providing high-quality, reliable, door-to-door commuting through highly-skilled medical transportation specialists,” says Oluyole.
Oceans Drive Transportation provides patients with affordable and timely non-emergency services to and from medical and non-medical appointments, assisted living facilities, private stays, day programs, and treatment centers across Nebraska, Georgia, and Atlanta. It covers wheelchair transportation and other assisted services for patients with physical and cognitive barriers, moving them from their room to the vehicle and vice versa.
Drivers are also taught to recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia in individuals, to understand how it affects them, and how to interact with them. Specific protocol is enacted when riding with such individuals, and as a general safety measure, every vehicle in the fleet is equipped with cameras to monitor patient and driver behavior.
Clients can avail Oceans Drive’s services through a single phone call or e-mail. After information is provided for pick-up and drop time and destination, the data is logged into its management system. Trips are scheduled with sufficient gaps to allow for unexpected delays and emergencies. Passengers receive calls from staff 24 hours prior and once on the day of the trip to confirm. They have the opportunity to provide feedback to help improve services.
Our mission is to tackle the crucial need for efficient NEMT services by providing high-quality, reliable door-to-door commute through highly-skilled medical transportation specialists
If required, patients can bring family members, friends, or others in their support system. Shuttles are available year-round, including throughout the holiday season to help patients connect and socialize with family and friends at a time when non-emergency transportation is difficult to obtain.
Oceans Drive Transportation never cuts corners when upholding ethical standards and maintaining the safety and comfort of its passengers. It continues to alleviate the burden of lack of access to medical care faced by the millions of American, and leaves an indelible mark in the world of NEMT services.