Resource Guide
Wheelchair vs. BRODA Chair vs. Stretcher Alternative
How families and case managers decide between a standard wheelchair, a power wheelchair, a BRODA/Traversa reclined chair, and when an ambulance is the right call instead.
Straight Answers
What's the real difference between a wheelchair van, a BRODA chair, and a stretcher?
A wheelchair van transports someone who is already seated upright in their own wheelchair. A BRODA or Traversa chair is a reclined, tilt-in-space chair Presence provides for passengers who cannot sit upright safely. A true medical stretcher, with monitoring or clinical care en route, is an ambulance-level service Presence does not provide.
The decision usually comes down to one question: can the person sit upright, even leaned back in their own chair, for the length of the ride? If yes, a wheelchair van fits. If no, but they don't need ambulance-level monitoring, a BRODA/Traversa reclined vehicle is the stretcher alternative. If they need IV medications, oxygen titration, or clinical monitoring during transport, that's a 911 or ambulance decision, not an NEMT one.
Start With How the Person Sits, Not What They're Diagnosed With
Families often ask which equipment to request based on a diagnosis, but the more useful question dispatch will ask is simpler: can this person sit upright, even reclined slightly, for the length of the trip? Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different transport needs depending on pain level, fatigue, contractures, or how recently they had surgery.
If someone already uses a wheelchair at home and can tolerate sitting in it during a car ride, a standard wheelchair-accessible van is usually the right and simplest choice. The van's ramp and securement straps do the rest.
When a Power Wheelchair or Scooter Changes the Picture
Power wheelchairs and scooters are heavier and often longer than manual chairs, and they need to be reported accurately so the right vehicle is sent. A power chair that fits through a home hallway may still be too long or heavy for a given van's ramp angle or securement points, so give dispatch the make and model, or the dimensions and weight, when you book.
When a BRODA or Traversa Reclined Chair Is the Better Fit
A BRODA or Traversa chair is a specialized, tilt-in-space chair that lets a passenger travel reclined rather than sitting fully upright. It's the option to ask about when someone can't tolerate an upright wheelchair position for the length of a ride — because of pain, weakness, pressure sensitivity, or recovery from a procedure — but does not need ambulance-level clinical care.
This is often described as a 'stretcher alternative' because it fills the gap between a seated wheelchair ride and a true ambulance stretcher, without implying any clinical monitoring capability.
When the Right Answer Is an Ambulance, Not NEMT
Some situations are outside what any non-emergency provider should transport. If a passenger needs cardiac monitoring, oxygen titration, IV medication administration, or any other clinical intervention during the ride, or if their condition could become unstable in transit, that is an ambulance decision. Presence NEMT does not provide clinical care en route and will always point a family or facility toward 911 or an ambulance service when that's what the situation calls for.
What to Tell Dispatch
- Whether the passenger uses a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, or scooter, including make/model or dimensions and weight
- Whether the passenger can sit upright for the trip length, or needs to travel reclined
- Any known skin, pressure, or positioning concerns
- Whether a companion, CNA, MA, or Nurse should ride along
- Pickup and destination addresses, including any stairs, narrow doorways, or elevator access
Scope and Safety
This guide is general educational information about arranging transportation, not medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Presence NEMT is not an emergency ambulance service and does not provide clinical care en route. Call 911 in an emergency.
Wheelchair, Power Wheelchair, BRODA/Traversa, or Ambulance?
A quick reference for families and case managers deciding what to request.
| Option | Best for | Positioning | Not appropriate when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard manual wheelchair | Passengers who use their own manual chair day to day | Upright, seated | Passenger cannot tolerate sitting upright for the ride |
| Power wheelchair or scooter | Passengers who use a powered mobility device | Upright, seated, heavier and larger to secure | Device dimensions or weight exceed what the van can safely ramp and secure |
| BRODA / Traversa reclined chair | Passengers who cannot sit upright due to pain, weakness, contractures, or skin/positioning needs | Reclined, tilt-in-space, supported | Passenger needs IV medication, oxygen titration, cardiac monitoring, or other clinical care en route |
| Ambulance | Passengers who need clinical monitoring or intervention during transport, or any true emergency | Stretcher with medical crew | Never call an NEMT provider for this scenario — call 911 |
Presence NEMT is not an ambulance service. If there is any doubt about whether a passenger needs clinical monitoring en route, that call belongs with the passenger's care team or 911, not with a transportation booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I just request a 'stretcher' and have Presence figure out the equipment?
- It's more accurate to describe what the passenger needs — upright wheelchair seating or a reclined BRODA/Traversa position — since Presence does not operate ambulance stretchers with clinical monitoring. Dispatch can help match the description to the right vehicle.
- Is a BRODA chair the same thing as an ambulance stretcher?
- No. A BRODA or Traversa chair provides reclined, supported positioning for passengers who cannot sit upright, but it does not include clinical monitoring or care. If clinical monitoring is needed, an ambulance is the appropriate service.
- My family member's power wheelchair is very large — will it fit?
- Report the exact make/model or dimensions and weight when you book so dispatch can confirm which vehicle and ramp will accommodate it before the day of the ride.
- How do I know if my parent needs a wheelchair van or a reclined chair?
- The key question is whether they can sit upright, even leaned back in their own chair, for the length of the ride. If sitting upright is painful or unsafe, ask about the BRODA/Traversa option.
- Does Presence provide bariatric equipment too?
- Yes, bariatric-capable equipment and additional assistance are available for higher-weight passengers; mention weight and equipment needs when scheduling so the right vehicle is sent.
- What if my family member's condition changes between booking and the ride?
- Call or text dispatch as soon as anything changes. Positioning needs, equipment, or the level of assistance required can shift quickly during a recovery, and it's easier to adjust ahead of time than at the curb.
Talk Through the Right Equipment for Your Trip
Call or text Presence NEMT and a local team member will help you arrange transportation. No health details are required upfront to get started.