I wonder if there's some way to fill this need

[eDJ_]

Overland One wrote:

Well, in this day and age of tech, could not someone monitor someone virtually? As a business this could be good as one person could monitor several folks simultaneously. (within reason) So, the patient assures the hospital that they have both a ride and monitoring once home. We use virtual meetings for doctors visits, court appearances, and business meetings so why not this?

Agreed ! They seem to expect us to do everything else today with App's and as Spiff says:

We don't know why hospitals require someone with you for 6 hours (especially no qualification other than breathing). Is it a sound medical practice or CYA because of getting sued in the past or just because 'this is how it has always been done'?

...............and App's seems to be how we're doing it now. Whether it's Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype etc. AND, what's the percentage of cases where the procedure results in failure and the "designated monitor" has to report an issue to the Hospital ?

When I had a cataract replacement, I spent more time in recovery than the time it took for the simple operation. I think the monitor was more about assuring the patient got home and safely into a place to rest for the 6 hours. (no car wreck or falling down during transport)

I was so elated to have my vision back in that eye that I wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize it. I made sure to have a good friend with a dependable car to serve as my monitor. Anyone needing a "monitor" to transport them and follow up should value that service accordingly.

 

[Happy Camper]

https://www.verywellhealth.com/driv...After Surgery,in the hours following surgery.

 

[john*thomas]

This could be a service that even people who have people might employ. I can see a son or daughter using this service for a parent so they don't have to miss work.

 

[user 36441]

So here's a need for workers that's going unfilled -- but I'm not sure how to turn it into a viable job. I'm guessing it probably wouldn't work for most, but I'm just going to throw it out here in case someone can figure out how to run with it.

I just had my second cataract surgery.* Like many outpatient surgeries now, it was mandatory to have someone drive you home and stay with you for 6 hours. I'm new in town and didn't know anyone I wanted to impose on. It was really hard to find anyone willing to do this for pay -- even most of the home-health-care agencies won't. I finally found someone fantastic, but even that agency had literally only one person willing to take it on because nobody (in that field anyway) wants short-term gigs. I can't say I blame them since the $%^&* surgicenter gives less than 24 hours notice of your schedule, so the person has to basically block the whole day off their calendar.

There was a New York Times article sometime in the last month on this problem. Apparently it is widespread, and people are even doing without medical procedures because of it.

I don't think it would be easy to set up a service. Customers would need a good reason to trust you -- easiest if you went through some existing agency's vetting service -- and you would need a good way to feel safe in strangers' houses -- again easiest if you worked through an established company, I'd think -- and a business-friendly vehicle -- and a lifestyle that worked with multiple short random gigs rather than one steady one -- and you'd probably want basic CPR/first aid even though it's not mandatory (they just require a warm body >18 y.o. willing to sign a form). But this is what capitalism is supposed to be good at -- matching up weird needs with weird availabilities -- right?

edited to add: and there could be liability issues, so you might need a basic contract + insurance -- yeah, would probably only work through an existing agency -- but you might be able to pitch it to one -- "my" guys sounded interested in expanding into this if they could have found the staff to do it.

Anyway, if there's the 1 in 1000 out there who thinks they could run with this, here it is FWIW.

*

I'm currently vanning in Tucson and need cataract surgery and don't know anyone here, so here's what I'm thinking of doing. Take out a Craigslist post in "gigs". Offer $100 to meet me at the hospital, wait for the surgery to finish, and then escort me back to my van. $20 up front, the rest afterward. Some may think $100 is too much, but I'm talking about my eyesight here, and I don't thimk $50 is enough to really motivate.
I see some good ideas here, and I hope someone comes up with a good one.

 

[bullfrog !]

Wander out to Caballo Loco south of Three Points. They have a bulletin board there or call the office see if they can post it for you. I have some family in Tucson if you don’t have any luck. At the price of fuel and as spread out as Tucson is it doesn’t sound unreasonable but trusting someone one Craigslist maybe!

 

[user 22017]

I'm currently vanning in Tucson and need cataract surgery and don't know anyone here...

You might be able to post an ad on the bulletin board at University of Arizona's Student Union. The union is smack in the middle of campus. Map:

https://map.arizona.edu/

 

[rruff]

We don't know why hospitals require someone with you for 6 hours (especially no qualification other than breathing). Is it a sound medical practice or CYA because of getting sued in the past or just because 'this is how it has always been done'?

I'd just lie and tell them I have someone watching me. It's a silly rule.

 

[user 36441]

You might be able to post an ad on the bulletin board at University of Arizona's Student Union. The union is smack in the middle of campus. Map:

https://map.arizona.edu/

Thanks, Carla

 

[DrivenNomad]

I'm currently vanning in Tucson and need cataract surgery and don't know anyone here, so here's what I'm thinking of doing. Take out a Craigslist post in "gigs". Offer $100 to meet me at the hospital, wait for the surgery to finish, and then escort me back to my van. $20 up front, the rest afterward. Some may think $100 is too much, but I'm talking about my eyesight here, and I don't thimk $50 is enough to really motivate.
I see some good ideas here, and I hope someone comes up with a good one.

I just had my 2nd cataract Surgery in Vegas a month ago. The 1st one was done back in October. I was camping on BLM land in Pahrump at the time of both surgeries. I knew nobody well enough to ask them to drive me back-and-forth from Pahrump to Vegas, and on top of that I'd have to return to vegas the next day for a follow up check with the doctor. I explained my predicament to the doctor and had him put me in touch with the administrator at the surgery center. They agreed to let me park my rig in the parking lot at the surgery center and let me walk out after the surgery and stay there for the rest of the day and night. In the morning I was able to see well enough to drive the 5 miles to the doctor's office, and an hour later I drove myself back to Pahrump.
They are only worried about you until the anesthesia and it's effects have worn off. The whole scenario played out so well that when it was time for the 2nd surgery I arranged it with a simple phone call. They even had someone bring dinner out to me in my rig, and in the morning they brought me coffee.
You'll never know what you're gonna get if you never ask.

 

[Overland One]

I just had my 2nd cataract Surgery in Vegas a month ago. The 1st one was done back in October. I was camping on BLM land in Pahrump at the time of both surgeries. I knew nobody well enough to ask them to drive me back-and-forth from Pahrump to Vegas, and on top of that I'd have to return to vegas the next day for a follow up check with the doctor. I explained my predicament to the doctor and had him put me in touch with the administrator at the surgery center. They agreed to let me park my rig in the parking lot at the surgery center and let me walk out after the surgery and stay there for the rest of the day and night. In the morning I was able to see well enough to drive the 5 miles to the doctor's office, and an hour later I drove myself back to Pahrump.
They are only worried about you until the anesthesia and it's effects have worn off. The whole scenario played out so well that when it was time for the 2nd surgery I arranged it with a simple phone call. They even had someone bring dinner out to me in my rig, and in the morning they brought me coffee.
You'll never know what you're gonna get if you never ask.

That was an awesome way to work that out. Good thinking.

 

[rruff]

They are only worried about you until the anesthesia and it's effects have worn off. The whole scenario played out so well that when it was time for the 2nd surgery I arranged it with a simple phone call. They even had someone bring dinner out to me in my rig, and in the morning they brought me coffee.

^^ That's service!

It's great to see any overly regulated service actually be sensible at times. I'm going to remember that if I ever have surgery.

 

[rpmhart333]

First thing I thought of in this context was "local church". The second was "local adult center". The third thing I thought was "chocolate cheesecake", but that has nothing to do with the discussion. It's just that I think of chocolate cheesecake a lot. So I told myself "this is important stuff. get back on the topic", but have come up with nothing else. Please don't take the discussion off-topic and make me guilty because I have ADD.

 

[Happy Camper]

You could use chocolate cheesecake as an incentive to get a person to assist you possibly.

Cash + chocolate cheesecake.

 

[camperdan]

That’s always my dilemma... 75 miles to good surgeons. I have a friend in Duluth MN that usually has been able to do this for me. But that would be a great service.

Hello, I'm pretty new here. but I saw that you are on the Masabi Range. I grew up in Grand Rapids a million years ago.
Are you still up there? camping?

On the subject of transportation for medical, What a definite need for us nomads. I think this illustrates clearly that even
though many of us prefer to live away from people, there are two compelling reasons to be part of a community (friends , neighbors, acquaintances reasonably nearby). 1) medical transport for outpatient stuff. 2) expanding one's lifespan
10-20 years. Yes , this is true stuff. Please see a wonderful 10-minute talk by Susan Pinker about the "super agers" on the island of Sardinia. Super aging apparently may not be all about super genes, diet, exercise, etc.
It is a TED talk and for me who will be 78 (OMG) in a month, quite inspiring. I hope you do well with the arm thing. We are all rooting for you.

 

[NctryBen]

Funny thing… my buddy from Duluth Mn who’s helped me out there actually was here in time to take me to my MRI yesterday. Bad experience btw… not their fault. Just nature of the beast. I was in bad bad pain all night when I got home.
But… if you can… just call a good friend from back home… hahaha!

 

[camperdan]

I can understand why the hospitals will not allow an uber to pick someone up after surgery as they know the uber will be driving off and they want the patient monitored. Well, in this day and age of tech, could not someone monitor someone virtually? As a business this could be good as one person could monitor several folks simultaneously. (within reason) So, the patient assures the hospital that they have both a ride and monitoring once home. We use virtual meetings for doctors visits, court appearances, and business meetings so why not this? With today's litigious society I can see some huge potential liability here should something go wrong even if sitting right with the person at their house so the proper insurance would be needed for sure.

Very sharp comment about this important issue. Please contribute more ideas as they come to you.

 

[camperdan]

I just had my 2nd cataract Surgery in Vegas a month ago. The 1st one was done back in October. I was camping on BLM land in Pahrump at the time of both surgeries. I knew nobody well enough to ask them to drive me back-and-forth from Pahrump to Vegas, and on top of that I'd have to return to vegas the next day for a follow up check with the doctor. I explained my predicament to the doctor and had him put me in touch with the administrator at the surgery center. They agreed to let me park my rig in the parking lot at the surgery center and let me walk out after the surgery and stay there for the rest of the day and night. In the morning I was able to see well enough to drive the 5 miles to the doctor's office, and an hour later I drove myself back to Pahrump.
They are only worried about you until the anesthesia and it's effects have worn off. The whole scenario played out so well that when it was time for the 2nd surgery I arranged it with a simple phone call. They even had someone bring dinner out to me in my rig, and in the morning they brought me coffee.
You'll never know what you're gonna get if you never ask.

What a smart, clever way to handle that. Most nomads should think about copying your approach.

 

[maki2]

I had a friend who just did that for his cataract eye surgery at a clinic in Lake Havasu City. They let him park in the back corner of the lot. The nurse even came out now and again over a couple of days to see if he needed anything. It worked out nicely, restrooms in the building, a trash dumpster. A place that sold drinking water right up the street. Cafes nearby in walking distance. He could have his dog staying with him, etc.

Lake Havasu City has a lot of RV tourist around. I am sure it is not the first time someone has stayed in the parking lot for a few days until they could drive safely.

 

[Overland One]

Well, 6 months ago my eye doctor told me I need cataract surgery sometime within the next 6 months. I had my eyes checked just before I left to go out on the road. I am planning on doing what had been suggested above, requesting that I park in their lot overnight as I have no one to sign me out. My eye Dr. Said the surgery takes 7 minutes and I can drive as soon as the dialation drops wear off...which he said takes about an hour or so. They use a local anestetic so no issue with that. There are 2 locations he reffers to, one in each town about 12 miles from where I am camped. I will try one, if they say no, I will try the other. I am willing to sign a waiver or release relieving them of any responsibility. It has been bitter cold here recently (-6 F) and I cant leave my cat in an unheated vehicle for very long and I do not want my lithium batteries to freeze nor my water tanks. I guess I will see how this all works out.

 

[Happy Camper]

I am planning on doing what had been suggested above, requesting that I park in their lot overnight as I have no one to sign me out. My eye Dr. Said the surgery takes 7 minutes and I can drive as soon as the dialation drops wear off...which he said takes about an hour or so. They use a local anestetic so no issue with that. There are 2 locations he reffers to, one in each town about 12 miles from where I am camped. I will try one, if they say no, I will try the other. I am willing to sign a waiver or release relieving them of any responsibility. It has been bitter cold here recently (-6 F) and I cant leave my cat in an unheated vehicle for very long and I do not want my lithium batteries to freeze nor my water tanks. I guess I will see how this all works out.

I truly hope they would for you. If nothing else, offer to pay someone a few bucks to sign you in and out. Preferably someone already at the hospital. Maybe check the maternity waiting rooms for family waiting. Or, maybe someone that has to be there for treatments.

Heck, even someone that works close would work. Since there's a cat involved, it'll likely be easier to get someone to help if needed.

But I hope they just let you do your original plan and you can disregard everything above.