Stretcher
An elevator outage can stop a planned stretcher trip before it starts
Verify elevator availability, building access, decision ownership, and the rescheduling plan for a non-emergency journey.
Original editorial illustration; not a photograph of Cathay operations.
A working elevator may be essential to a planned non-emergency stretcher journey in a multi-story building. If the elevator is unavailable, the transport team may not be able to use the expected route. The safest practical approach is to identify that dependency early, verify it again close to travel, and let the responsible professionals decide what arrangement is workable.
Identify every elevator the journey depends on
Check the route from the passenger's room to the vehicle and from the arrival entrance to the receiving area. Record which elevator, entrance, or service corridor the building has approved for the trip.
Ask the building contact about scheduled maintenance, access hours, keys, and who can confirm operating status. A lobby elevator working during a site visit does not guarantee that the required route will be available on the travel day.
Choose a decision contact before the outage happens
Name the building or facility contact who can confirm access and the person authorized to coordinate with the transportation office. Keep those roles separate from family members who may receive updates but cannot approve building arrangements.
If an outage occurs, provide accurate information about the affected route. Do not direct a crew to attempt stairs or another unreviewed path. Let the provider and responsible clinical and building professionals determine the next step.
Set a verification time
Agree on when elevator status will be checked, especially for early departures or buildings with recent service problems. Confirm the result through the transportation office's designated channel rather than assuming a maintenance notice reaches dispatch.
The sending and receiving locations should both be checked when either depends on vertical access. A working elevator at pickup does not solve an outage at the destination.
- Required elevator and approved access route.
- Building contact and after-hours number.
- Time for the final availability check.
- Person authorized to reschedule or revise the plan.
Keep the non-emergency contingency clear
For a planned non-emergency journey, document how the appointment or receiving location will be contacted if access prevents travel. Confirm any revised date and transportation arrangement separately.
An emergency requires the appropriate emergency response, not an improvised change to a scheduled stretcher booking. Keep the non-emergency distinction clear in family and facility instructions.
Your next step
Discuss building access for a planned stretcher journey
Connect with our team to discuss your needs and the available arrangements.
