How to Care for Your Patients During Transport

Prospective clinical studies have shown that adverse incidents occur during patient transport to the hospital. Patients are transported for diagnostic testing, change in level of care and from one department to another. Patient health and safety are compromised during transport due to improper patient identification, poor communication, improper positioning of the patient, equipment failure and improperly trained transport personnel. Put policies and procedures in place and educate staff to safely transport your patients. Review emergency system activation procedures with your staff. Document any incidences that do occur and implement changes to prevent that occurrence in the future.

Instructions

Non-critically Ill Patients

• 1

  Train your unlicensed transport personnel in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Teach them hospital policies and procedures for emergency events that may occur during transport. Provide supervision until the employee demonstrates the ability to perform transport duties. Perform competency testing at regular intervals to assess skill maintenance.

• 2

  Double check the identification of your patient prior to transport. Talk to the nurse and confirm the reason for transport. Bring proper documentation with you during the transport.

• 3

  Position the patient comfortably and safely in the transport wheelchair or bed. Cover them with a blanket to maintain proper body temperature during transport.

• 4

  Unplug any equipment the patient will require during transport. Check battery power for IV pumps and obtain a portable oxygen tank and check that it is full before connecting the patient to it.

• 5

  Communicate with the patient during the transfer to monitor their condition. When you reach your destination, communicate directly with the health care professional who is taking over the care of the patient and hand over any documentation.

Critically Ill Patients

• 6

  Communicate with the personnel at the transport destination before you prepare the patient. Instruct the personnel to prepare the appropriate equipment that the patient will need upon arrival.

• 7

  Critically ill patients require cardiac monitoring or artificial ventilation. Transport critically ill patients with one or two qualified medical personnel in addition to the transport personnel to monitor vital signs and maintain life support interventions during the transportation process.

• 8

  Instruct unlicensed transport personnel to follow the same communication and safety procedures described for the non-critically ill patient during transport.