FORD GORIDE PARTNERS WITH DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER TO IMPROVE THE WAY DETROITERS GET TO THE DOCTOR

Ford Motor Company is now offering its GoRide non-emergency medical transportation service across the Detroit Medical Center network, improving the way patients get to and from appointments by providing safe and timely transportation.

Ford GoRide is now serving patients receiving medical care at DMC’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Sinai-Grace Hospital, Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, DMC Heart Hospital, Harper University Hospital and Hutzel Women’s Hospital.

“Helping patients with mobility issues or no access to transportation make it to their medical appointments on time and in a safe and comfortable manner is a key part of delivering on our DMC mission,” said DMC Chief Strategy Officer Joel Keiper. “This collaboration with Ford GoRide is one example of how we work to address the needs of our community members and collaborate to provide beneficial solutions that improve the patient experience.”

With professionally trained drivers and Ford Transit vans outfitted specifically to transport people with mobility challenges, GoRide is enabling DMC to help improve access to its medical facilities across the Metro Detroit area, improve efficiency and enhance patient care. GoRide’s 97 percent on-time pick-up and delivery average is a factor in helping the medical network provide the medical care its patients need.

DMC Rehabilitation Institute patient Rosa Brown, 74, suffered a near-fatal stroke earlier this year. Now, less than four months later, she is expected to make a full recovery. Brown is grateful for GoRide’s transportation service, and relies on it to make every rehabilitation appointment on time.

“I’ve never been late to an appointment because of GoRide. The drivers are very courteous, they help me in and out, and they try to make me very comfortable,” said Brown. “After my stroke, I wasn’t able to drive, so GoRide has been a wonderful solution for me and I’ve had nothing but a great experience with them.”

According to the National Conference of Staff Legislature, approximately 3.6 million Americans fail to receive health care due to a lack of transportation. This problem is potentially even more prevalent in Detroit, where according to the U.S. Census, the number of people without a vehicle is 16 percent higher than the national average. Without reliable transportation, many patients miss their appointments.

“Too often, patients miss medical appointments simply because it’s too hard to find transportation they can consistently count on,” said Marion Harris, Ford vice president Mobility Business Group. “GoRide tackles this problem by providing a human-centered service that is reliable, that makes it easy for DMC staff to schedule and book transportation for their patients, and also focuses on ensuring people have a safe and great experience.”

GoRide drivers receive extensive training – including training in passenger assistance safety and sensitivity to enable the highest levels of safety for wheelchair passengers. They also understand patient rights and know how to perform CPR.

Booking rides with Ford GoRide is handled through DMC-based schedulers working with GoRide dispatchers. Patients with appointments at the DMC locations or approved physician partners, can also schedule their transportation over the phone or through the Ford GoRide online site.