Realized How Pathetic My Life Is At The Dentist Today

[Justmehere]

Non-emergency medical transport usually doesn't work for these kinds of things. I have tried that several times myself. The doc never accept them as suitable for pick up if they had to put me under.

They are about equal to cab drivers, only paid for by insurance. They simply pick up and drop off. (I use non-medical transport to/from the doc every week for normal doctor visits.)

What the hospital or doctors office is looking for is not so much if the person will wait in the waiting room, but typically someone that will stay will you those first 24 hours and make sure you come out of the anesthesia ok.The non-emergency medical transport driver isn't a good options unless you at least can prove someone will meet you at home.

Home health is generally a long term set up - but one option that is built for short term things like this is respite care.

Or, if nothing else, maybe consider hiring a retired nurse to come hang out with you afterwards.

 

[Dana1010]

What the hospital or doctors office is looking for is not so much if the person will wait in the waiting room, but typically someone that will stay will you those first 24 hours and make sure you come out of the anesthesia ok.

Well, I sure don't have that. I guess if I do find some retired nurse type, we'll have to pretend she lives with me? Exactly how out-of-it are you after anesthesia? Can you even walk?

Also, can you tell me more about what respite care is?

 

[Justmehere]

You don't have to pretend the retired nurse lives with you. As long as someone is with you, that's all they care about.

How much the medications affect people varies from person to person and for the procedure.

When I had to have my wisdom teeth out, they gave me versed. I don't even remember the ride home at all. I have only a vague memory of leaving the dental office. My friend said I was a little goofy and definitely out of it for awhile. It's a little like being drunk, only more incapacitating. I could walk fine, but not fully take care of myself.

You know that you tube video where that little kid says, "is this real life?" This video:
David After The Dentist
I was told that I was kind of like that, only a little more sleepy, when I had my wisdom teeth out when I was 25.

It's not something people need outright medical support to get through, but often there is a period of time where they need someone else to help take care of them until all the drugs wear off.

People are not usually affected like that for more than a couple hours, but it's still preferable to have someone stay for the full time period just to make sure it all goes ok.

As the versed wore off after my wisdom teeth surgery, it did hurt. It wasn't super bad, but it took a little time to deal with.

Respite care is people who fill in on a very short term, often one time, basis for long term home health care providers.

 

[Friday]

Transportation & Observation/Assistance are 2 totally different things.

If you just need a ride? That's non emergency medical transport.

If you need someone to stay with you XYZ hours? That's either
- Home Care Nursing
- Nursing Home / Assisted Living (yes, yes, yes... We associate that with old people & elderly care. Nursing Facilities & Assisted Living Facilities see millions of 24hr-12mo stays from patients recovering from surgery. It's a byproduct of insurance companies not willing to pay for most inpatient stays).
- Inpatient Surgical Recovery

Is the oral surgeon's office asking for both, or just for transport?

***
All 3 options above have a lot of different avenues to them. Check with your insurance company, as usually one is funded at 80%, but the others either not funded at all, or only in the 20% range. Same token, regardless of whether dental is covered, or the dental means you're paying out of pocket, you'll probably need forms from Surgical PreAdmit, so that the medical treatment PostOp is covered... As anesthesia & etc. are usually classified as medical procedures & treatment, rather than dental procedures & treatment.

 

[Dana1010]

If you need someone to stay with you XYZ hours? That's either
- Home Care Nursing
- Nursing Home / Assisted Living

I tried the home care nursing. It seems to be really difficult to get someone to do it for just a couple of hours. They're looking for long term jobs. As far as the nursing home/assisted living, that's one I hadn't thought of. I have no idea if my insurance would cover it--I doubt it. They will provide some sort of transit, but they don't have anyone to stay throughout the procedure and see that I get in my home, lock the door behind me, etc.