Summer heat can be bad for those in good health, leaving them overheated, dehydrated, and close to heat exhaustion if they aren’t careful on those sizzling summer days. Now imagine what it’s like for someone with a chronic illness who needs to take a NEMT (also known as Non-Emergency Transport) vehicle to and from their appointments. It’s very important for NEMT companies to do everything in their power to prevent their passengers from getting sick from the heat, as injured passengers lead to lawsuits.
Here’s what you can do to limit your liability exposure during the hottest part of the year.
Equip Your Vehicles with Air Conditioning
Since vehicles, particularly the vans that are commonly used for NEMT transport, tend to get hot inside in the summer, you’ll need to equip them with air conditioning. This way, your driver can set the interior at a comfortable temperature and provide your passengers with a space to cool off after traveling from the medical office to the vehicle. Cold air can keep moisture out, preventing passengers from getting overly sweaty without a way to cool down.
Take Sweat into Consideration When Strapping Down Passengers
Some passengers need additional help getting strapped into their seats. Others may have wheelchairs that need to be secured with locks, straps, and other devices. The problem with these straps? They don’t work so well when you and your passengers are sweaty. The odds of a passenger slipping out of the straps go up when sweat enters the picture, so make sure to keep some dry towels on hand.
Provide Water or Other Cold Beverages
There’s nothing quite like a cold bottle of water on a hot day. Keep an array of beverages, like water, flavored water, and even juices (both with sugar and sugar-free) to help your passengers cool off.
Train Employees on the Signs of Heatstroke
Your employees need to know the signs of heatstroke, as well as what to do should a passenger come down with it. Spend some time going over the symptoms, including dizziness, confusion, a lack of sweating, skin that’s warm to the touch, and more. Knowing which actions to take should a passenger have these symptoms, like immediately putting them into a space with cool air and getting them a cold drink, before calling for additional assistance, helps as well.
Lowering Your Liability
Summer heat tends to lead to NEMT passenger liability claims, as they can easily get heat stroke and end up with additional medical bills. By taking steps to prevent heat injuries and training your drivers on the signs of heat-related illnesses, your business is lowering its liability risks. The less likely you are to be found liable for these situations, the lower your insurance premiums will be. And your passengers will stay cool and comfortable as well. It’s an all-around win.
Have Questions? Contact Charlotte Insurance
Want to learn more about the importance of insurance for your NEMT company? Contact Charlotte Insurance. Our agents can explore and explain all available options and put together the insurance coverage plan your business needs.