How NEMT Services Protect Riders with Universal Mask Wearing

The onset of the global pandemic in the spring of 2020 changed life as we know it for everyone in the world. Everyone wore masks, social distanced and took extra precautions to prevent the spread and infection of COVID-19. Although many states are loosening their mask mandates, it makes sense for some companies to require their employees to continue wearing them.

For example, those who provide non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services will continue to wear masks in Tacoma, WA, even if the state doesn’t require it anymore. This article will cover NEMT mask policies and why they are so important.

What are NEMT services?

Non-emergency medical transportation services are a way to provide medical care to those who don’t have access to their own transportation. NEMT services are a Medicaid benefit and can greatly help those who either cannot drive themselves, don’t have access to a vehicle, lack a driver’s license or due to other health reasons cannot get themselves to their medical appointments.

The non-emergency qualifier means that although the patient being transported likely has health concerns, these do not put them at serious short-term risk and are not immediately life-threatening.

Will NEMT service employees in Tacoma, WA continue to practice universal masking?

Yes, due to the nature of the virus and who is most at risk of contracting it (those with special needs, older people, those who are immunocompromised or those who have chronic illnesses), drivers and their assistants for Around the Sound NEMT services will continue to don masks at all times.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wearing masks over the nose and mouth when forced to be in close quarters with other people can help to reduce the spread and infection of COVID-19. For an employee tasked with transporting multiple people to multiple places every day, masking can serve as a safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus. But there are other measures they can take as well.

Besides masking, what other safety measures will NEMT service employees take?

While mask wearing in medical transportation in Tacoma, WA is a fine first step to preventing the spread of COVID-19, there are other things employees can do to stop the spread.

In addition to NEMT mask policy, employees will practice social distancing when possible, as well as make use of plastic barriers when applicable. Such additional measures can only help in the fight against the proliferation of the coronavirus.

Why is it important for NEMT services to take these extra steps?

NEMT service workers are the people transporting those who cannot for whatever reason make it to their doctor’s appointments on their own. Many of these people are considered “high-risk” for COVID-19 due to the nature of their health problems. Because NEMT workers are transporting people that are often medically compromised to and from medical centers several times per day, the risk and consequence of infection is significantly higher. It is paramount that NEMT workers use an abundance of caution when it comes to COVID-19.

Call to reserve your ride today

After having read about the additional safety measures we’re taking against COVID-19, we hope you’ll give us a call at Around the Sound the next time you require NEMT services in Tacoma, WA. We’re dedicated to getting you where you need to go quickly and safely so you can continue to experience the joys of life as long as possible.

Categorised in: Safety During Transit

This post was written by Writer