AST Guideline for Patient Transportation

7 2) The team should complete an assessment of the patient demographics, transfer volume, transfer patterns, communication processes, and available equipment and personnel. 18 3) Using the gathered information, the team should develop a written standardized CPTS that is then implemented. 4) The team should evaluate and revise the transfer plan on a periodic basis using a quality improvement process. 18 C. The CPTS should address four components: pretransport coordination and communication; accompanying personnel; accompanying equipment; monitoring during transport. 18 1) Continuity of patient care is achieved when the transferring team and receiving team follow the standardized pretransport steps of communication each time patient care responsibility is transferred. Before transport the receiving team should communicate to the transferring team they are ready to receive the patient for surgery. Other members of the transfer team, including the surgeon, are informed of the timing of the transport and the required equipment. 18 It should be documented in the patient’s medical record the indications for transport, time of transport, and patient’s status. 18 2) It is recommended that a minimum of two people, not including the person pushing the transportation device that could be a CST, accompany the transport of the critically ill patient. 18 It is strongly recommended a physician or the surgeon accompany the patient along with a respiratory therapist. For unstable critically ill patients, additional support personnel may be needed such as a RN. The CST can also serve as a support person in providing patient care under the direction and supervision of the physician on the transferring or receiving team. 3) It must be confirmed prior to transfer that all battery- operated equipment is fully charged. The mandatory equipment to accompany every critically ill patient includes: blood pressure monitor; pulse oximeter; cardiac monitor; cardiac defibrillator; and airway management supplies including an oxygen source that has a 30-minute reserve. 16,18 Basic resuscitation drugs should accompany the patient including epinephrine and other antiarrhythmic agents in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or arrhythmia. 18 The same equipment and drugs should accompany the transfer of a pediatric patient making the adjustments for size of patient. 17 Bag-valve ventilation (Ambu bag) is most commonly used during intrahospital transfers; however, the