In the Bronx, where transportation challenges often stand between patients and timely care, Bronxcare Health System partnered with Equipo and Citywide to implement a tech-enabled referral and transport coordination platform. By automating ride scheduling, integrating with the EMR, and enabling real-time tracking, this innovative approach has reduced delays, improved patient satisfaction, and ensured critical access to healthcare. Discover how a collaborative, AI-powered solution is reshaping care delivery for underserved communities—one ride at a time.
A Tech Enabled Collaborative Approach to Addressing Transportation Barriers in Underserved Communities
The Bronx, a thriving urban center, is known for its vibrant and diverse community. However, many residents face significant challenges when it comes to accessing reliable healthcare. For many in the Bronx, transportation is a key barrier to care—whether it is getting to appointments on time or following up after a hospital discharge. In underserved areas, where transportation options may be limited or unreliable, getting proper medical attention becomes a frequent issue. This can delay treatments, worsen health conditions, and make it harder for people to manage their well-being. Bronxcare Health System has been dedicated to addressing these challenges, ensuring that residents have the access they need to quality healthcare, no matter the obstacles.
The transportation barrier is multifaceted, encompassing limited access to trustworthy transportation options, lengthy wait times, and the complexity of navigating transportation systems. Apart from the health consequences, these transportation hurdles exacerbate frustration, anxiety, and decreased patient satisfaction, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge this critical gap in healthcare access.
To address this challenge for the community they serve, Bronxcare Health System found a solution through a powerful Referral Management Platform powered by Equipo and partnered with a trusted transportation service provider, Citywide. By integrating Equipo technology, Bronxcare was able to streamline patient transportation, ensure timely and reliable rides, track appointments in real time, and close the communication gaps that were contributing to delays and inefficiencies. This collaboration with Citywide enhanced the overall efficiency of the transportation service, reducing wait times and ensuring that patients could access care when needed.
One of the key features of the Equipo Platform is its ability to reduce wait times by automating the entire transportation workflow. Once a patient's appointment is scheduled, the process of arranging transportation becomes seamless. Here's how it works:
For many patients, this system didn’t just improve efficiency—it changed lives. Long wait times for ambulances and lack of communication often led to frustration and delayed care.
With the new system, the transportation gets arranged automatically as soon as the appointment/discharge is scheduled. Exact time of arrival will be notified. If there were any delays, it gets notified immediately. No more uncertainty, no more missed appointments.
Equipo’s Referral Management Platform greatly improved operations at Bronxcare. By automating transport requests, it reduced wait times, ensuring patients received timely care. Real-time updates helped patients trust that their rides would arrive on time. The system’s integration with the EHR allowed providers to track transport and ensure patient safety. Better communication between the medical center and transport providers also led to fewer missed appointments. Additionally, the platform provided comprehensive reports that allowed the medical center to improve services and allocate resources more effectively.
This study shows how technology can improve healthcare services, especially in underserved areas. By using a cutting-edge platform, Bronxcare medical center made healthcare more efficient, accessible, and patient-friendly. This model can inspire other healthcare systems to adopt similar innovations, making healthcare better for all.
Equipo is a pioneering care delivery platform that harnesses the power of AI-enabled analytics to provide 14+ services including Referral Management, Chronic Care Management, Remote Monitoring, Quality of Care and Data Aggregation focused on value-based care. At its core, Equipo aims to empower healthcare providers and prioritize patient-centric care. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Equipo bridges the gap in healthcare access, ensuring that patients receive timely and efficient care. One of the platform's standout features is its Transportation Referral Platform, which tackles the perennial problem of transportation barriers in care delivery.
Equipo serves nearly 3,000 locations across the US, with a strong presence in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and the company is poised for continued growth and expansion to new markets globally, starting with Puerto Rico and UAE.
Managing high volumes of patient referrals across four states, Sanitas needed a smarter way to coordinate care—and found it in Equipo.
