The service ACC provided fell far below the standards that were promised, expected, and required in a medical transport setting. It was clearly communicated and understood that the individual being transported suffered from COPD and had advanced oxygen needs and specific medical requirements. Given the conditions and actions of your staff, it is evident that without my presence, the patient would likely have died under ACC's care before even reaching our destination.
You claim to offer professional medical transport, yet what we experienced was nothing short of a distressing, unsanitary environment that caused extraordinary agony, stress, and anxiety for both the patient and me. The patient passed away less than 48 hours after arriving at the destination, and his condition deteriorated precipitously during and directly after the transport. He developed a high fever within one day of arrival. In his medically fragile state, it is clear that ACC's reckless and negligent handling shortened his final months to a matter of hours. He arrived home significantly sicker than when we departed.
Upon further investigation, I have discovered that numerous others have reported similarly horrifying experiences with ACC. Customer reviews on Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and other platforms paint a consistent picture of gross negligence and abuse of vulnerable patients. Your lack of compassion, your refusal to offer fair compensation, and your blatant disregard for even the most basic professional standards indicate that your company should not be in this business. By taking advantage of the sick and elderly, you have demonstrated a fundamental disregard for human life and dignity.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of unacceptable conditions, failures, and negligent behaviors displayed by ACC during the transport:
1 The oxygen concentrator malfunctioned repeatedly throughout the trip, emitting loud alarms and forcing the paramedic to switch to backup oxygen tanks multiple times. DOZENS OF TIMES. Such repeated failures are absolutely unacceptable when transporting a COPD patient who is oxygen-dependent. The paramedic acknowledged that the machine seemed old and was unreliable.
2 Due to continual equipment issues, the paramedic expressed concern that we might run out of oxygen. This created severe stress and fear for both the patient and me, which is intolerable under these circumstances.
3 On multiple occasions, I awoke to find the patient's nasal cannula dislodged from his nose while the paramedic slept. I explicitly stated that someone must remain awake at all times, yet this neglect occurred not once, but three times. This is a direct, indefensible breach of duty and care.
4 I awoke during one incident to discover the patient in obvious distress, whispering "I'm dying" repeatedly. The nasal cannula tubing had become disconnected from the concentrator. The patient's oxygen saturation plunged into the 60s--a dangerously low level. Rather than accepting responsibility, the paramedic blamed me saying I "must have kicked it or something." He then resorted to using scotch tape to secure the tubing. Such a response is both reckless and unprofessional.
5 The paramedic frequently tripped over the patient's oxygen tubing, forcing me to hold and illuminate it so it would not be stepped on. This carelessness is inexcusable and dangerous.
6 One driver was a smoker who returned to the van smelling strongly of cigarettes after each rest stop, forcing the patient--who suffered from COPD--into an environment thick with secondhand smoke odors. This is utterly unacceptable.
7 The same driver coughed continuously throughout the trip. The stress and concern this caused the patient and me is considerable. ACC should ensure that transport staff are healthy and do not introduce additional health risks to medically fragile patients.
8 The blankets provided were stained. At one point, the paramedic spilled coffee near the patient's bedding and did not change the soiled sheets, dismissing the need for cleanliness. When the patient attempted to drink a protein shake and spilled it due to lack of proper assistance, the paramedic merely balled up the soiled sheets and tossed them aside instead of replacing them with clean linens.
9 Trash bags were not emptied at rest stops, leaving the van in an increasingly unsanitary state. This lack of basic hygiene is wholly unprofessional and dangerous to a patient's health.
10 I was told that multiple bystanders contacted ACC after reportedly seeing smoke coming from the van. The driver stopped for nearly an hour, causing delays & stress. Shortly after we got back on the road, there was an extreme smell of burned rubber. The driver pulled over on the side of the freeway in what felt like an unsafe moment. Although The absence of clear, reliable information created a fearful, unsafe environment for the patient and me.
Rough driving. Fast food. Unsanitary. List goes on and on, but I'm out of space. read more