Interhospital and intrahospital transfer of the critically ill patient

Abstract

Aim: This paper highlights hazards involved in moving critically ill patients between locations, discusses minimalisation of risks involved and the advantages of specialist teams.

Method: This is a systematic review.

Results and conclusions: Critically ill patients are moved within the hospital because of the need for surgical procedures or to have fixed facilities investigations performed. Interhospital movement of patients is necessary for specialised care available elsewhere. This has increased with centralisation of specialist services. This paper adopts a practical approach to the transfer process. It establishes the goals of conducting a safe transfer, highlights the deleterious effects of moving an ill patient, the risks and pitfalls of a transfer, and how to minimise them. Attention is drawn to the need for proper resuscitation and stabilisation of a patient before transport. The quality and outcome of the transfer depend on the experience of the transferring team and on adequate monitoring facilities. The benefits of a specialist transfer team is suggested.