Measuring performance of night-time interfacility transport service

Abstract

The service reorganization is a part of the healthcare system reform. Some hospitals may not be able to provide all services in a 24-h basis. This evaluation was on all night-time (22 : 00 p.m. to 07 : 00 a.m.) interfacility transport by Alice Ho Miu Ling Hospital emergency department from January 2008 to December 2010, which were in-patients from nonemergency wards. The safety, speed, and performance were analyzed. During the study period, 73 cases were transferred out. Majority of them were having neurosurgical emergency (n=21, 29%) or surgical emergency (n=34, 46%). En-route physiological deteriorations were encountered in 4% (3/73) of cases. The mean acceptance time was 8 min and the team mobilization time was 13 min on average. The total service time ranged from 40 to 115 min. In conclusion, en-route adverse event was not rare. The specialized team can act as a facilitator and coordinator to improve the safety and effectiveness of the whole process.

Multiprofessional team interventions in transporting critically ill patients: a systematic mixed-methods review

“…This decision involves assessing organizational aspects of the care environment, including the adequacy of the multiprofessional team to the specificity of the transport and the patient's clinical characteristics. 22,25,32 The adequacy of the team performing the transport refers to its competence to coordinate existing resources, such as allocating and optimizing human, material, and available time resources. 23,27,29,33,35 In light of this, the decision about transport must be weighed as to its benefits and potential risks, avoiding harm to the patient and promoting safety.…”

“…28 At the same time, it emphasizes learning acquired by maintaining academic training 33 and developing educational programs that allow systematic training and intensive training in this area. 22,23,27,28,31,35 This development enables the team to be competent to anticipate needs arising from the patient's clinical condition or from the transport itself, 24,27,32 as well as to recognize life-threatening situations, intervening early to stabilize clinical priorities. 33 Chart 1.…”

“…Transport planning also concerns preparing and optimizing monitoring equipment (i.e., checking that it is suitable for the patient's needs and correctly used by the staff). 23,30,32 The same importance is assumed regarding the use of personal protective equipment to prevent and control infection, specifically in the current COVID-19 pandemic. 22 Lastly, a safe transition of care is also part of proper planning.…”

“…22 Lastly, a safe transition of care is also part of proper planning. It occurs through effective communication 23,26,27,29,32,33,36 using communication aids (e.g., mnemonics), 29 which translates into an appropriate handover of responsibilities, 23,29,36 and correct documentation. 28,29 In light of this, transport planning focuses on coordination, communication, patient stabilization, preparation (of staff, equipment, and type of transport), and documentation.…”

Effect of Transition From a Unit-Based Team to External Transport Team for a Pediatric Critical Care Unit

“…7 Multiple single-center studies reveal fewer adverse events when pediatric-trained teams are used. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Thus, pediatric-trained transport teams are the expected norm, although the specific pediatric training and optimal composition is unknown.…”