Question
Something came up on the LOADS E-group that I thought perhaps Nurse Red could help with, or someone here on the R/T could help with. On more than one occasion recently, LOADS members have had to deal with drivers being ill on the road. Many times they need meds or just to see a doctor. I know that Nurse Red is at a clinic that caters to drivers, but are there other facilities such as yours that drivers can get to easily? Is there some sort of listing somewhere that will let them know which truck stops might have facilities such as yours? I know the emergency room of the local hospital is an option, but sometimes that just isn't the answer, due to either time restraints or parking problems.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give on this.
Deborah
[This message has been edited by Deborah (edited January 02, 2000).]
Answer
Deborah,
I don't believe that there are many T/S's that have facilities such as Nurse Red's on the premises.
My next best suggestion....which I have personally used on the road... is to get out the phone directory and look for one of the medical walk-in clinics. Sometimes it means having to drop your trailer somewhere, but if you're sick enough....as I was....(pneumonia) and really need to be seen, you can find a place to safely drop it. Most companies and/or shopping centers will be agreeable and work with you. At least that has been my personal experience.
They also accepted my insurance, so I didn't have to shell out a fortune to be seen.
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~ Mary ~
Answer
There are a FEW other clinics at truckstops throughout the states. However, not all are staffed by physicians. Some are staffed by chiropractors who are performing only drug testing and physical exams.
I have heard of a few companies who claim they are going to have a chain of these clinics throughout the states, but I have not seen any of them survive more than a year.
To my knowledge (and I could be wrong) my clinic is the only full service facility operating 24 hours a day. We just celebrated our 5th year in business and are planning the opening of another facility at the Truckstop in Frederick, Maryland in May.
It has been my dream to have a chain of these facilities throughout the states, but no one has stepped forward with the financial backing it would take to do it. So I will continue to chip away at it a little at a time on my own.
Citing the fact that we are here 5 years after opening says there is a definite need for this service and that it is a viable business venture if done correctly.
I do have a network of clinics throughout the states that I can direct a driver to if the need arises and the driver gives us a call. But they are not truck stop based.
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Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Thank you Nurse Red. I am going to add your site to the links at the LOADS e-group so that people will have the information and be able to get in touch with you.
It is unfortunate that people do not see the merit that a facility such as yours would have, but everyone is looking to turn the fast buck I suppose and doesn't see the long range picture.
In time, in time. All things come in time I suppose.
Deborah
Answer
I agree with Mary, as I have been on the road and gotten sick and needed the services of a doctor. I have found that the yellow pages come in very handy as you can usually locate a walk-in clinic and I have even been able to get a 53' trailer in the parking lot. I don't recommend that, but usually you can find somewhere close by to park. ER's are too darned expensive, and I don't think you can get out of one nowadays for less than $500.00...even its a minor issue.
I would like to add one thing to this thread:
If you get a prescription from a Dr. while at home or on the road, and it has refills available on it, it is in your best interest to have it filled by a national company. I myself use Wal-Mart since there must be a bazillion of those places all over the country and I think every one of them has a pharmacy. If you need a refill it is easy to get at another Wal-Mart Pharmacy since you are already in their system. I have had to get refills and it has been virtually painless even when on the road.