When psychiatric transport helps
- Discharge from an emergency department or inpatient unit to a residential program
- Transfer between facilities, including out of state
- A loved one with depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, trauma or an eating disorder who is not safe to travel alone
- A family that needs an alternative to an ambulance or law enforcement vehicle for a stable patient
- Step-down from a hospital to home, with support on the trip
Our approach
People in crisis are often scared, exhausted and overstimulated. Our teams keep the environment quiet and predictable. We explain each step before it happens, travel in unmarked vehicles and plain clothes, and give the person as much choice as safety allows.
How it works
- Clinical intake. We speak with the family and, with permission, the sending and receiving clinicians. We review diagnosis, current medications, risk level and any safety concerns.
- Plan and staffing. We set the route and assign a team suited to the person's needs.
- Transport. Continuous supervision from pickup to arrival, with medications and records carried as directed by the sending provider.
- Handoff. We give receiving staff a verbal report and any paperwork, then confirm arrival with the family.
What we can and cannot transport
We transport people who are medically stable enough for non-ambulance travel. We do not provide emergency medical transport. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Privacy
We share information only with the people you authorize and the clinical teams involved in care.
Related services
See adolescent transport for teens entering treatment and adult transport for general treatment travel. Our training standards are on the safety and credentials page, and common questions are in the FAQ.