TRANSPORTATION INJURIES & DEATHS:

Another area affecting the elderly is the increase in deaths and injury while the infirmed or elderly are being transported from home to a hospital, or other inpatient facilities. Daily transportation for rehabilitation or medical treatment such as chemotherapy or dialysis also raises the risk of injury.

Standards have been developed by The University of Michigan’s Health Systems Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center, the Society of Automotive Engineer’s Group, and the International Organization for Standardization in Technical Systems and Aids for disabled and handicapped persons.

Transportation companies should follow these standards and assure for the safe boarding and exiting of passengers and patients whether ambulatory or wheel chair bound. In addition, standards should be followed in securing passengers and their wheel chairs while underway. Following these practices will significantly reduce the risk of injury if and accident occurs on the road.