Originally Posted by mrspilot

jonesing, With all the medical care your wife has undergone, she has likely been in the hospital at least once. Hospitals have Social Workers that coordinate special care medical travel arrangements just like the one you're describing. Ask your doctor to help you connect with one of the hospital Social Workers to assist with the coordination of Mrs. Jonesing's travel arrangements and medical care needs. You are absolutely correct that she has special needs that require advance planning. Most hospital Social Workers routinely work with airlines to facilitate medical patient transfers. In your case, the oxygen requirement seems to be a major concern. Again, the Social Worker will assess all Mrs. Jonesing's medical care issues and coordinate the best plan of action with the airlines. Finally, some airlines require a letter of medical fitness from your doctor in order to be permitted boarding, especially where continuous oxygen administration is concerned. Obviously, you want to travel cost-effectively with a plan for safety given her medical needs and oxygen management. A Social Worker would also be able to assist with recommendations of medical vendors for wheelchairs, medical equipment and/or oxygen provisions during the flight. I can't say enough how much value a Social Worker would provide to coordinate your wife's safe transfer.

Safe, Medically-Sound and Cost-Effective in the Fog,

mrspilot

Originally Posted by MsEverywhere

mrspilot,

I agree about the social worker. My dad is in a nursing home, and the social worker there has been very helpful. I typed up my plan for transporting my dad and FAXed it to her to get her approval and advice.

The whole staff there has been very helpful, so I sent them 3 pounds of Godiva chocolate. Not sure if it should be considered bribery (to continue taking good care of him) or appreciation.