Wheelchair, Stretcher, or Stair Chair? How to Choose the Right Medical Transport

Booking non-emergency medical transportation for the first time can feel confusing, especially when you are not sure which type of service fits your situation. Skyline Transport offers several options, each built for a different level of mobility and care. Here is a simple breakdown to help you choose the right one before your trip.

Wheelchair transport

Wheelchair transport is our most common service. It is designed for riders who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility but can remain seated comfortably during the trip.

Choose wheelchair transport if the rider:

• Uses a manual or power wheelchair

• Can stay seated in their mobility device for the ride

• Needs help getting safely in and out of the vehicle

Our wheelchair-accessible vans are equipped with lifts and securement systems, so riders stay safely secured in their own device from pickup to drop-off.

Stretcher transport

Stretcher transport is for riders who cannot sit upright for the trip and need to travel lying down. This often applies to patients who are bedbound, recovering from a serious procedure, or being transferred between a home and a medical facility.

Choose stretcher transport if the rider:

• Cannot sit up or transfer to a seated position

• Needs to remain lying flat during transport

• Is being moved to or from a hospital, facility, or home

Because stretcher trips require the right resources on-site, a residential stretcher trip may include a quick home evaluation before the trip is confirmed, so we can make sure the pickup can be completed safely.

Stair chair transport

Stair chair service solves a problem many families do not realize has a solution. When a rider cannot manage stairs and there is no elevator, our team uses a stair chair to safely move them up or down staircases.

Choose stair chair transport if the rider:

• Lives or is being picked up in a multi-floor home or building

• Cannot walk up or down stairs safely

• Needs to be moved between floors without an elevator

This service is often paired with wheelchair or stretcher transport for the rest of the trip.

Post-procedure transport

After surgery, anesthesia, or sedation, driving yourself home is not safe, and a standard ride share is not built for it. Post-procedure transport gets you home comfortably and safely when you are not able to travel on your own.

Choose post-procedure transport if the rider:

• Is being discharged after a procedure or outpatient surgery

• Received anesthesia or sedation

• Needs a careful, supported ride home

Still not sure which service you need?

That is what we are here for. Call us and describe the situation, and our team will help you match the right service to the rider's needs. It is better to ask than to guess, and we would rather get it right the first time.

Skyline Transport is a licensed, insured, locally owned and operated, veteran-owned non-emergency medical transportation provider serving Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, including Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Seffner, St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the greater Tampa Bay area.

Skyline Transport Phone: 813-330-3200 or 800-515-8028

Website: www.skylinetransportfl.com