How Nursing Facility Cut Costs with Broda Wheelchairs

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: A Cost-Prohibitive, Yet Essential Service for Skilled Nursing Homes

When it comes to non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in long-term care, many facility administrators find themselves paying an arm and a leg. This was certainly the case for Brian Murphy during his time as the Executive Director of Mountain View Care Center, a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Tucson, AZ. His costs were high and his residents were being transported via gurney rather than in a comfortable transport wheelchair.

“Transport was costing our facility hundreds of dollars for a one-way trip. With many residents needing multiple trips, the price made it cost-prohibitive for our facility to offer this service.”

Brian Murphy, Executive Director, Mountain View Care Center

Despite the cost, some trips, such as doctor’s appointments, are medically necessary and a frequent need for the proper care of facility residents. With staffing issues and financial difficulties in a post-pandemic climate, many nursing and long-term care facilities struggle to keep their transportation budget manageable.

The Solution: Broda Wheelchairs for Nursing Home NEMT

Mountain View Care Center struggled with these problems until Brian discovered Broda. Broda wheelchairs have many features that make them ideal for NEMT, such as:

Crash-tested, WC19-certified tie-down brackets
A seat belt to keep the resident secure during transit
Built-in fall prevention features
Easy maneuverability in and out of transport vans
Pressure-relieving seating surfaces

GIF of a traversa being used bedside at a hospital — *Pictured above: The Traversa Transport Wheelchair, adjustable for multi-patient use*.

NEMT Cost Savings with Broda Wheelchairs

Using a Broda wheelchair for your facility’s transport can lead to significant cost savings that administrators can’t afford to ignore. With a cost of around $6,000* USD per wheelchair, they may seem like a large upfront investment. However, when compared to the cost of gurneys and other transport options, they quickly become cost-effective. Before purchasing their first Broda transport wheelchair, Mountain View Care Center was contracting with other companies to pick up residents for 150+ trips each month. With this solution, they were spending an average of $12,000 per month on transportation alone. That comes out to an astonishing $144,000 each year in outsourced transportation. Now, they’re able to transport the residents themselves without having to rely on a third party.

“I reduced our transport expense by $9,000 per month. The Synthesis Transport Wheelchair is easy to use, secure, and versatile…It paid for itself within a month!”

Brian Murphy, Executive Director, Mountain View Care Center

With these results, Brian highly recommends Broda for facilities that need to save money in this area. “For a long-term investment, it’s a no-brainer.” Using Broda wheelchairs to transport your own residents to their doctor’s appointments, dialysis treatments, and hospital discharges can result in a substantial return on investment.

*The cost of a Broda wheelchair varies by configuration and supplier. Price can be affected by federal and state reimbursement programs. Please contact Broda to receive an exact, personalized quote.

A Safe & Comfortable Nursing Home Transportation Option

In addition to the cost savings, using Broda wheelchairs lessens the risk of injuries during transit. Broda transport wheelchairs are WC19-certified² and have built-in fall prevention features, such as tilt, adjustable upper lateral shoulder supports, and a seat belt. The wheelchair’s narrow width makes it easy to maneuver in and out of transport vans and doorways, while our one-of-a-kind Comfort Tension Seating® surface molds to the resident’s body, ensuring they stay comfortable during travel. Broda transport wheelchairs can lessen liability. With the tie-down straps and seat belt, you can know your residents are secure during transit.

A Woman in a Synthesis chair being loaded into a NEMT vehicle — *Pictured above: The Synthesis Positioning Wheelchair, made to order for each patient for ultimate comfort.*

Skilled Nursing Facility Wheelchairs Built for Ease of Use

One of the best things about Broda wheelchairs is how easy they are to use. Staff can transfer residents from their beds to their Broda wheelchairs without needing many people for support. Because the chair is so easy to maneuver, you can decrease staff injuries when transferring residents. These wheelchairs are easily wheeled into a transport-capable van with WC18-certified³ wheelchair occupant restraint systems (WTORS) and clip easily to the securement brackets on the floor of the vehicle. Once they arrive at their destination, a transfer out of the wheelchair is not usually needed. The resident can remain in the Broda wheelchair for the entire duration of their appointment or activity, increasing comfort and satisfaction for the resident, family, and care team.

Transportation is essential for long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Broda wheelchairs offer a safe, cost-effective, and practical solution for non-emergency medical transportation. Ready to maximize your savings on NEMT? Contact Broda today to see how much your facility could be saving.

Want more information about providing safe non-emergency medical transportation? Check out our Wheelchair Transportation Safety Checklist!

Our Favorite WC19-Certified Wheelchair for Skilled Nursing NEMT

The Traversa Transport Wheelchair is the ideal choice for a facility to use for non-emergency medical transport. It’s adjustable to fit any resident up to 450 lbs., raises and lowers for easy lateral transfers, and features tilt and recline functionality for comfort and pressure injury prevention. Plus, the Pivot Assist™ System allows the wheelchair to pivot 360° in place and slide effortlessly from left to right.