Discharge Transport That
Clears Beds Faster
The national average discharge-to-departure time is 3+ hours when using broker transport. Dream Care Rides' average: under 45 minutes. When your hospital needs beds cleared, we get patients home safely and on time.
The Discharge Bottleneck
Every discharge planner knows the frustration: a patient is medically ready for discharge, the physician has signed the orders, the family has been notified, and the bed is needed for an incoming admission. The only thing holding up the process is transportation.
When you rely on broker-dispatched NEMT, you are at the mercy of a system that prioritizes volume over speed. Brokers aggregate requests from dozens of facilities and dispatch from a pool of subcontractors. The result is unpredictable wait times, last-minute driver cancellations, and patients sitting in discharge lounges for hours while beds remain occupied.
Dream Care Rides operates differently. We are a direct provider with our own fleet and our own drivers. When you call us, we dispatch from our vehicles — not from a pool of unknown subcontractors. That is why our average discharge-to-departure time is under 45 minutes for ambulatory and wheelchair patients.
<30 min
Same-day confirmation for ambulatory and wheelchair
<45 min
Average discharge-to-departure time
<60 min
Same-day stretcher transport confirmation
How to Book Discharge Transport
One phone call. No portals, no logins, no fax machines. Call our dispatch team and your patient's transport is confirmed within minutes.
Call (708) 505-6994
Identify yourself as a discharge planner. Our dispatch team prioritizes discharge transport calls and will connect you with a coordinator immediately.
Provide Patient Info
Share the patient name, hospital and unit, destination address, mobility level, estimated discharge time, and any equipment needs.
Get Confirmation
We confirm vehicle availability, assign a driver, and provide an estimated arrival time. For ambulatory and wheelchair, confirmation is within 30 minutes.
Patient Transported
Our driver arrives at the discharge entrance, assists the patient from the unit to the vehicle, and provides door-through-door service to the destination.
Same-Day Discharge Availability
We understand that discharge timing is unpredictable. Physicians may clear a patient for discharge at any time during the day, and your facility needs the bed turned over quickly. That is why Dream Care Rides maintains same-day vehicle availability specifically for discharge transport.
For ambulatory and wheelchair patients, we confirm same-day discharge transport within 30 minutes of your call. For stretcher patients, confirmation is typically within 60 minutes depending on ambulette availability. If you know a discharge is likely to happen later in the day, call us early to pre-schedule and we will guarantee the vehicle.
Pro Tip for Discharge Planners
If you anticipate a discharge later in the day, call us when the physician first discusses discharge with the patient — even before the official order is signed. We can pre-stage a vehicle so that when the orders are finalized, your patient is out the door in minutes, not hours.
What We Need From You
The more information you provide upfront, the faster we can confirm and dispatch. Here is what helps us get your patient home quickly:
We Know Your Hospital
Our drivers are familiar with the discharge entrances, parking protocols, loading zones, and discharge desk contacts at major Chicago-area hospitals. When we dispatch to a hospital we have served before, the driver knows exactly where to go — no delays, no confusion, no calls asking for directions.
Hospitals We Serve Regularly
Not on this list? We serve all hospitals in our coverage area. Call (708) 505-6994 to confirm.
Stretcher vs. Wheelchair: A Decision Guide
Choosing the right transport level ensures patient safety and avoids unnecessary costs. Use this guide to determine whether your patient needs wheelchair or stretcher transport.
Wheelchair Transport
- ✓ Patient can sit upright for the duration of the trip
- ✓ Patient can transfer from bed to wheelchair with assistance
- ✓ No medical monitoring required during transport
- ✓ Patient weighs under 300 lbs (standard wheelchair)
- ✓ Trip duration is under 2 hours
Stretcher Transport
- ✓ Patient cannot sit upright or bear weight
- ✓ Patient is bed-bound or requires reclined positioning
- ✓ Patient requires oxygen during transport
- ✓ Patient weighs over 300 lbs (bariatric stretcher)
- ✓ Patient is being discharged from ICU or surgical unit
Not sure which level your patient needs? Call (708) 505-6994 and our team will help you determine the right service level.
Frequently Asked Questions for Discharge Planners
How quickly can you dispatch a vehicle for a hospital discharge?
We confirm same-day ambulatory and wheelchair transport within 30 minutes of your call. Stretcher transport is typically confirmed within 60 minutes depending on vehicle availability. For planned discharges with advance notice, we guarantee vehicle arrival within your requested window.
Do your drivers know how to navigate hospital discharge areas?
Yes. Our drivers have completed trips at dozens of Chicago-area hospitals and are familiar with discharge entrances, parking protocols, loading zones, and discharge desk contacts. When we dispatch to a hospital we have served before, the driver knows exactly where to go.
Can you transport a patient who is being discharged on a stretcher?
Yes. We operate stretcher ambulettes staffed with trained attendants who can safely transfer bed-bound patients. Our stretcher vehicles accommodate oxygen equipment, IV poles, and Broda Traversa chairs. For bariatric stretcher patients, we have specialized vehicles rated for 300+ pounds.
What information do you need to schedule a discharge transport?
We need the patient’s full name, hospital name and unit number, destination address, mobility level (ambulatory, wheelchair, or stretcher), estimated discharge time, any special equipment needs (oxygen, Broda, bariatric), and insurance status. Having this information ready when you call speeds up confirmation.
Do you accept Medicaid for discharge transport?
Medicaid accepted in select service areas — call (708) 505-6994 to check availability. Most discharge transports use our competitive private pay rates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Many facilities cover the cost as part of their discharge process.
What if the discharge time changes after I book the transport?
Discharge times shift frequently — we understand that. Call us as soon as you know the time has changed and we will adjust the pickup window. Changes made at least 30 minutes before the original scheduled time are accommodated at no additional charge.
Need Discharge Transport Now?
Call our dispatch team and we will have a vehicle confirmed for your patient within 30 minutes.
Dream Care Rides Partnerships Team
The Dream Care Rides partnerships team works with discharge planners at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities across Illinois and Indiana. Contact us at (708) 505-6994 or info@dreamcarerides.com.