Interfacility Ambulance Transport
Interfacility Ambulance Transport in Houston
Preferred EMS provides interfacility ambulance transportation between hospitals, freestanding ERs, nursing homes, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare facilities across Greater Houston. BLS, ALS, or MICU may be requested by the referring healthcare team.
- Texas EMS license 1000961Texas EMS license 1000961
- Dispatch 24/7Dispatch answered 24/7
For a medical emergency, or if you are unsure, call 911.
Service overview
What Is Interfacility Ambulance Transport?
Interfacility ambulance transport moves a patient from one healthcare facility to another when ambulance transportation is requested. Trips may start or end at hospitals, freestanding ERs, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings, including transfers from freestanding ERs to hospitals.
The referring team provides the origin, destination, timing, and requested service level. Preferred EMS dispatch confirms the request.
When this service is requested
When Interfacility Transport May Be Appropriate
The following are general examples of situations where interfacility ambulance transport may be requested or considered. This public website does not determine which ambulance service level is appropriate for an individual transport.
Hospital-to-hospital transfers
Transporting patients between acute care hospitals when the referring team has arranged ambulance transportation to a receiving facility.
Hospital to skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility
Moving patients from a hospital to a skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation center, or other post-acute care setting when ambulance transport has been arranged.
Transfers for specialized care or appointments
Transporting patients to a facility offering specialized services or for a scheduled appointment when ambulance transportation is requested by the healthcare team.
Return transfers to a healthcare facility
Returning patients to a healthcare facility following a procedure, appointment, or temporary transfer when ambulance transport is appropriate.
Long-distance facility-to-facility transportation
Extended-range transfers between healthcare facilities when the referring team has identified a need for ambulance transport over a longer distance.
For healthcare teams
Interfacility Transport for Healthcare Facilities
Preferred EMS provides interfacility ambulance transportation for hospitals, freestanding ERs, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare facilities across Greater Houston. Dispatch is available 24/7 for requests from case managers, discharge planners, nursing staff, and care teams.
Facility teams can request BLS, ALS, or MICU service for an interfacility trip. Dispatch confirms the origin, destination, timing, and requested service level.
Healthcare Facility TransportQuestions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is interfacility ambulance transport?
Interfacility ambulance transport moves patients from one healthcare facility to another when ambulance transportation is requested. This includes hospital-to-hospital transfers, transfers to skilled nursing or rehabilitation facilities, transfers for specialized care, and return transfers to a healthcare facility.
What types of healthcare facilities does Preferred EMS transport between?
Preferred EMS coordinates interfacility transport between hospitals, emergency departments, freestanding ERs, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, dialysis centers, specialty care centers, and other healthcare facilities throughout Greater Houston.
Can interfacility transportation be BLS, ALS, or MICU?
Yes. Preferred EMS can coordinate BLS, ALS, or MICU transport for interfacility transfers. This public website does not determine which level is appropriate for an individual transport.
Does Preferred EMS provide hospital-to-hospital transportation?
Yes. Hospital-to-hospital transfers are a common type of interfacility transport that Preferred EMS coordinates throughout Greater Houston. Our dispatch team works with sending and receiving facilities to support the transfer.
Is Preferred EMS dispatch available 24/7 for interfacility transport?
Our dispatch team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to coordinate interfacility ambulance transport throughout Greater Houston. Contact our dispatch team at (713) 791-9000 to discuss your transport needs.
How do healthcare facilities request a transport?
Healthcare facilities can request interfacility transport by calling our dispatch team at (713) 791-9000 or by submitting a transport request through our online form. Our dispatch team is available 24 hours a day to coordinate transport for patients and facilities throughout Greater Houston.
Continue exploring