Optimizing Safety for Surgical Patients Undergoing Interhospital Transfer

Abstract

Interhospital transfers play a key role in ensuring that patients receive necessary care. However, patients who are transferred between hospitals are a vulnerable population, and outcomes of transferred patients are suboptimal. Despite the critical nature of interhospital transfers, only limited effort has been dedicated to standardization and improvement of the transfer process. Studying and adapting quality improvement efforts directed at other transitions of care, particularly those that cross between different facilities and care teams "such as the transition from hospital to home or extended care facilities" may improve the care of surgical patients transferred between acute care institutions.

Keywords: Communication; Interfacility transfer; Interhospital transfer; Patient safety; Transfer outcomes.