As health care costs have risen and ridesharing apps become more common, people are increasingly relying on Uber and other ridesharing companies to transport themselves to the hospital instead of dialing 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Ridesharing apps, such as Uber offer on-demand and convenient transportation to individuals who are not seriously injured, ill or suffering from complicating factors. In simplest terms, Uber can drop off passengers to outpatient medical appointments, similar to an old-fashioned “taxi voucher”. However, not everyone is healthy enough to be transported in a passenger vehicle driven by a layperson, especially when seeking urgent medical attention. Rideshare drivers are, generally, untrained, self-employed workers driving their own cars on a part-time basis. They’re not medical professionals and are not prepared or trained to deal with medical emergencies. Fully equipped ambulances, staffed by highly skilled Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians, using high-tech supplies and equipment are the best choice to call upon, care for and transport in the case of stroke, heart attack, trauma, and other serious medical emergencies, or to care for patients with special needs requiring medical management.
The American Ambulance Association released a video to promote public awareness of the many differences between rideshare companies (Uber/Lyft) and medically-necessary mobile healthcare ambulance service providers. We encourage you to watch the video to fully understand the differences between Ambulance providers who help save and sustain PATIENT lives and rideshare companies who provide safe transportation for PASSENGERS to get from one location to another.
