When an ambulance responds to a medical emergency, the focus is on the patient — not on their mobility equipment. Wheelchairs are frequently left at the scene, at home, or at the original location while the patient is transported to the hospital. This creates a significant problem when it's time to go home.
Why This Happens So Often
Ambulances are not equipped to transport wheelchairs — especially power wheelchairs, which can weigh several hundred pounds. When paramedics respond to an emergency, their priority is stabilizing and transporting the patient. The wheelchair stays behind.
This is especially common for patients who live alone, who are transported from a public location, or whose family members are not present at the time of the emergency.
Step 1: Confirm Where the Chair Is
From the hospital, contact someone who can check on the wheelchair's location. If you were transported from home, the chair is likely still there. If you were transported from a public location (a restaurant, a store, a hotel), contact that location directly to confirm the chair is secured.
Ask hospital social work or case management staff for assistance if you don't have family or friends who can help — they are often experienced with exactly this situation.
Step 2: Arrange Wheelchair Retrieval
If a family member or caregiver can retrieve the chair and bring it to the hospital, that's often the simplest solution. If not, you'll need a service that can transport the wheelchair from its current location to the hospital or to your discharge destination.
Elite Transport Club can coordinate wheelchair retrieval and transport as part of a hospital discharge arrangement — picking up the chair from your home or another location and having it ready at the hospital when you're discharged.
Step 3: Plan Your Hospital Discharge Transport
Hospital discharge transport for wheelchair users requires an accessible vehicle — not a standard car or rideshare. Plan this in advance, ideally the day before your expected discharge date.
Hospital discharge times are often unpredictable. When booking discharge transport, give us your expected discharge window and we'll coordinate to be available when you're actually ready — not just at a fixed time that may not align with the hospital's schedule.
If Your Chair Needs to Be Secured at the Hospital
If your wheelchair is brought to the hospital before your discharge, ask the nursing staff or patient services to store it securely. Most hospitals have a designated area for patient belongings and mobility equipment.
Temporary Wheelchair While You Wait
If your wheelchair cannot be retrieved before discharge, you may need a temporary manual wheelchair. Elite Transport Club offers manual wheelchair rentals starting at $59/day with delivery to your location — including hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.
→ Read our guide to temporary wheelchair rentals