Getting a ride after the implant procedure. Hospital does not allow Uber home.

[twelvepillarscup]

Due to the nature of procedure, I am avoiding asking family and friends for a ride home. Wish I could Uber home but the lady said I cannot. I need to be with someone who would be responsible for me in case of emergency. I live about 20 minutes from the hospital. Has anyone had experience using one of those non-emergency medical transportation services in Los Angeles or elsewhere? Will the hospital allow those? Do the hospitals speak with the driver before leaving? What is that process like? Finally - could insurance cover this? Would appreciate any feedback!

[Thisworld]

Otherwise they will just imprison you there against your will ? ( And maybe even ask to pay additional bill for the prolonged stay)
No seriously....

[twelvepillarscup]

Otherwise they will just imprison you there against your will ? ( And maybe even ask to pay additional bill for the prolonged stay)
No seriously....

Yes this is a legitimate possibility but I'm sure someone else has been in the same situation I am so I'm asking people for their advice

[GoodWood]

It’s a common hospital policy. If you have had anesthesia you have to be accompanied home. They aren’t being unreasonable. After anesthesia folks think they are MUCH more capable than they are resulting in falls, passing out, getting hurt. It happens.

If you don’t have anyone to take you home they might offer you a 23 hour admission and let you go home alone the next day.

You could also check yourself out of the hospital “AMA” (against medical advice). Basically signing a document that says you know the doctor has told you to stay, but you are leaving anyway.

No one is going to imprison you against your will.

But saying overnight and even leaving AMA might have consequences with your insurance company. Call them to ask.

I have no experience with businesses that accompany people home so don’t have anything to say about that.

The easiest solution is to find a friend, neighbor, an EX, someone you used to work with, someone from the gym, your softball team, bowling league, the guy. Whine the counter at the corner pizza slice place. someone from church, or some other organization to agree to pick you up. No one at the hospital is going to grill them about the nature of your connection. Doesn’t matter if they do it. Because they are such a good friend or because you offered them $100.

You can tell the nurse that is doing your discharge instructions, “I’d like to protect my privacy. My friend picking me up knows I’ve had an urology surgery (or even just surgery I guess) but not the specifics and I’d like to keep it that way. So if there is any discharge instructions can you give that to me now before they arrive?” You would likely be dressed and ready to go just waiting for your ride. The nurse isn’t going to walk them through any of the specifics.



Also, most hospitals have a patient advocate office (to help with patient complaints or when they think something has gone wrong). You might call them now and ask what patients usually do if they want to go home but don’t have an escort. They might know of a resource.

[equusAz]

The center I went to (Chesapeake Urology on the Greater Baltimore Medical Center [GBMC] campus) had a policy that for 'outpatient' surgery, I HAD to have a responsible adult accompany me to the procedure who would stay and take me home - and that person HAD to be there or they wouldn't perform the procedure. Period. Not that it was a problem - my husband took me.

For some people who may not be comfortable telling people exactly WHAT procedure you are having - tell them it's "Urological" or "Bladder / Urethra" related. Ask them to wait in the waiting room as its private, then ensure that you discuss with the doctor / nurses that you do NOT want the person accompanying them to know.

Actually my attending nurse asked if it was OK to discuss my procedure with my ride before I even informed them it was my husband - which led to a discussion. They see this all the time. A lot of guys don't want ANYONE to know what they are having done and sometimes have to get a co-worker or friend to bring them to and pick them up from the operation. Call your doctor or the center and confirm that they can do this - i.e. be discrete.

[Quincy]

I had to travel a long distance, but had my wife with me. For a week after the surgery we stayed in the area, visiting friends. I was asked what surgery I had. I told them it was related to prostate issues, and that was accepted with no further questions. Maybe if you are vague about what the surgery is, you could find someone willing to help without giving up your privacy. Once you say "prostate" the discussion usually ends, and most people know that men have issues with that organ.

Good luck.

[Old Guy]

Needing a person to accompany you after a surgery is a standard rule. Anesthesia can cause you to fall asleep up to several hours later, and not just for a nap but boom you're out. Sorry you don't have a friend you can rely on to drive you. One slim possibility is post where you are, where you need to go and maybe one of our fellow FT members can help you out. I sure would if you lived near me. Good Luck.

[Donkeykong]

There are people who do this for income, for a modest fee. Usually your surgeon's office will be able to provide you with names and contact information so ask them.

[Gt1956]

How about checking with a local humanitarian organization? Maybe a church?

[LetoMan]

There are medical transport services that do this. I used Silver Ride in Bay Area. I’m sure there are options in LA.

Use a service like that, ignore the rest of the advice. A simple google search will likely do the trick. These services know what they are doing, the nurses in the ER that will arrange your transport know them, they are professional and do a good job. They show up when the nurses call them. I have found it cost maybe a 30 percent premium over Uber. I’ve used them for other surgeries too. It’s a whole lot easier than asking a friend, or calling up churches and seeing if anyone wants to volunteer to drive you home from your bionic dick appointment, haha!

Good luck!