Page 39 - VOS-2018-oct-web

CHANGING TIMES

by Roadrunner - Al Douglas

Changing times at Shriners Hospitals have insurance and are not going to
medical advances – medication and Shriners for accident injuries. Shriners
procedures - doctors working 2 different Cincinnati hospital has had drastic
hospitals, Erie & Philly and Erie & UPMC reduction of patients. Less burn patients
Children’s - many procedures are now and they will have to change, move in
outpatient, not requiring overnight stays in with another hospital or relocate to
hospital. Shriners Erie is an ambulatory another city. Roadrunner numbers are
facility now (open 8-5 only), if patient always changing, as of now YTD.
needs a procedure requiring overnight stay, 8/15/2018 43 Roadrunners are in the Club
they are now transported to Philly and but only 22 were active. 2 Roadrunners
CHP-UPMC. Newer advanced equipment, Plesh and Roell had double digit numbers
Erie’s has EOS X-ray that gives complete of trips. 18 Roadrunners had 19 Hospital
body scan with 85% less radiation. Many trips. 60 Hospital trips this year, required
other newer type equipment is now used. 120 roadrunners 43 trips to Erie and over Driver Rich Roell & Al transporting \
Our Roadrunner equipment has changed, ½ dozen each to Philly, Cincy, CHP- patient with mom & sister to Cincinnati.
the vans are now wrapped to look like a UPMC Children’s Hospital Pittsburgh-
Sports car and Steeler van, and both are University Pittsburgh Medical Center
2017 Honda Odysseys. The third looks like Roadrunners drove 21,300 miles and
a fire truck, a 2015 Chrysler with pictures volunteered 1,315 hours of their time.
of our patients are on these vans. The Both Honda Odysseys vans were driven
patients like these new vans and we now for 9,000 miles each. The Chrysler wheel-
have mobile advertising. chair van was driven for 3,000 miles.
Changing times have affected the Road- Several Erie trips are very long, they need
runners, black camel, retirement to drive to Green or Clarion Counties then
relocations, medical problems, and winter to Erie and back. Roadrunners can look
calling the snow birds. Emerson at an online Yahoo calendar, and schedule
Klingensmith was very active with 22 trips trips for this month or any months in the
last year, he passed away, after a horrible future. The Trip information about patient Drivers Rich Roell & John Habel
burn accident. Bob Armstrong very active, and the trip is sent via email. We meet on transporting patient & Mom
also had 22 trips, he had a medical problem 3rd Monday every other month at to Cincinnati.
and can no longer drive or live alone. Ron 10:00 AM.
Plesh has stepped up and already has 11 Changes for next year, driver safety
trips. New Roadrunner Rich Roell stepped classes, CPR and AED Classes. If you
up and has 14 trips YTD. Both of these would like to change with the times, join
drivers not only go to Erie but have taken our team call 724-247-7000. Ask for Al,
several trips across the state and out of Ron, Jim, Lenny, Don, Gary, Bill, Rich,
state this year. John, Dave, Ed, George, Tom, Jack, Bud,
Changing times 25% drop in the number Max, Mike, Bob, or any Roadrunner for
of trips from last year, less to Erie and an application.
Philly, but more to Cincy and CHP-UPMC.
Some trips to Cincy & Philly are back and We drive so kids can walk!
forth same day, some are overnight stay for Driver Don Wiles & Ill. Sir Bill
drivers. Just over 50% of patients are now Branthoover transporting patient
Amish, I suspect that most other patients to Erie Hospital.

The Voice of Syria October 2018 39