Jim Weaver, a 70-year-old man, has undergone two major surgeries in the past decade. The surgeries were to remove cancerous tumors from his bladder and clear a blocked artery. Given the distance they had to travel to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, Weaver and his wife couldn’t return home immediately after surgery. Instead, they brought their Escape 19 camping trailer, a comfortable home on wheels, and parked it in one of the hospital’s 17 on-site RV spaces. This allowed Weaver to have the privacy he desired while recovering. Offering on-site RV parking spaces with electric hookups is a unique amenity provided by some medical centers in the United States, including OHSU Hospital. This amenity is particularly beneficial for patients who live in rural areas and have to drive long distances for medical care.
Monika Geraci, a spokesperson for the RV Industry Association, understands the appeal of RV travel for patients. She explains that having an RV allows patients to bring all their creature comforts, making their stay more comfortable. Brett Dodson, who oversees parking and transportation services at OHSU Hospital, states that many patients drive eight to 10 hours to receive care at the hospital. These patients often prefer staying in an RV rather than finding a hotel, as it reduces their anxiety and allows them to be closer to their medical providers.
Patients typically stay in the RV spaces for about seven days, with a maximum limit of 30 days at a time. Some patients who require recurring treatments, such as kidney dialysis, stay every few months. The RV spaces have been occupied by various patients, including transplant patients and a family with a baby in the intensive care unit. This amenity not only improves patient comfort but also enables the hospital to provide better care. Patients who used to drive through the night to arrive in time for morning surgeries can now arrive the night before, ensuring they get a good night’s sleep before their procedures.
Although not all hospitals offer designated RV spaces or utility hookups like OHSU Hospital, some hospitals have informal arrangements for RV parking. Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center in Montana, for example, has been allowing patients to park their campers for years. They recently created a short-term RV parking program to accommodate patients traveling from out of town to receive care that isn’t available closer to their homes. Patients can reserve a space for up to two weeks free of charge. However, they must bring their own water and dispose of their trash.
While hospital policies regarding RV parking vary, many publications and forums for RV owners advise calling ahead and seeking permission. Hospitals like Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida, Colorado, have found that their RV parking lot is more popular among staff members than patients. This six-spot lot with full hookups allows staff members to avoid long commutes and helps the hospital maintain adequate staffing.
Providing on-site RV amenities not only improves the overall experience for patients but also enhances the hospital’s ability to deliver quality care. With the increasing demand for these amenities, it is crucial for hospitals to consider incorporating designated RV spaces and hookups into their facilities.
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