Simultaneous interfacility transfer of multiple non-critically ill COVID-19 patients using a single vehicle: the ambulance bus experience

Barten, Dennis G.; Zijl, Remco van; Körver, Frank W J; Peters, Nathalie A L R

doi:10.1186/s12245-022-00415-7

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

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“…The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused congestion in health care systems across Europe, and alternative transportation options were developed to relieve regional hospitals (i.e. ambulance bus in the Netherlands 28 or transport by civilian helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS, UK) 29 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Burden of hospital admissions and resulting patient interhospital transports during the 2020/2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Saxony, Germany

Bender,

Waßer,

Keller

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Secondary transports of patients from one hospital to another are indicated for medical reasons or to address local constraints in capacity. In particular, interhospital transports of critically ill infectious patients present a logistical challenge and can be key in the effective management of pandemic situations. The state of Saxony in Germany has two characteristics that allow for an extensive evaluation of secondary transports in the pandemic year 2020/2021. First, all secondary transports are centrally coordinated by a single institution. Second, Saxony had the highest SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and the highest COVID-19 associated mortality in Germany. This study evaluates secondary interhospital transports from March 2019 to February 2021 in Saxony with a detailed analysis of transport behaviour during the pandemic phase March 2020 to February 2021. Our analysis includes secondary transports of SARS-CoV-2 patients and compares them to secondary transports of non-infectious patients. In addition, our data show differences in demographics, SARS-CoV-2- incidences, ICU occupancy of COVID-19 patients, and COVID-19 associated mortality in all three regional health clusters in Saxony. In total, 12,282 secondary transports were analysed between March 1st, 2020 and February 28th, 2021, of which 632 were associated with SARS-CoV-2 (5.1%) The total number of secondary transports changed slightly during the study period March 2020 to February 2021. Transport capacities for non-infectious patients were reduced due to in-hospital and out-of-hospital measures and could be used for transport of SARS-CoV-2 patients. Infectious transfers lasted longer despite shorter distance, occurred more frequently on weekends and transported patients were older. Primary transport vehicles were emergency ambulances, transport ambulances and intensive care transport vehicles. Data analysis based on hospital structures showed that secondary transports in correlation to weekly case numbers depend on the hospital type. Maximum care hospitals and specialized hospitals show a maximum of infectious transports approximately 4 weeks after the highest incidences. In contrast, standard care hospitals transfer their patients at the time of highest SARS-CoV-2 case numbers. Two incidence peaks were accompanied by two peaks of increased secondary transport. Our findings show that interhospital transfers of SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 patients differ and that different hospital care levels initiated secondary transports at different times during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Burden of hospital admissions and resulting patient interhospital transports during the 2020/2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Saxony, Germany

Bender,

Waßer,

Keller

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Logistics of patient evacuation in response to disease Outbreaks: Critical considerations for transportation planning

Yazdani,

Haghani

2023

Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

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Transport Organisation of Patients Diagnosed With Covid-19 in Pre-Hospital Emergency Health Services – Seeking Guides

Yıldırım

BALKANER

2022

Hastane Öncesi Dergisi

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Transport of critically ill patients with compromised vital functions include high risks and challenges for both emergency care professionals and patients. Transport of these critically ill patients should be performed in compliance with the protocols developed in accordance with evidence-based medical recommendations. Pre-hospital emergency health workers perform many different types of transplants, and the transfer of infectious patients with contagious diseases requires a special professional approach. Nowadays, SARSCov-19 suspected/+ patient transfers transmitted by droplets and/or contact have been one of the most common types of transport. The transfer of patients with very high potential for transmission and fatal effects, such as SARSCov-19, should be carried out in accordance with the principles of “critical patient” transport. It is more important than ever before that clear plans are made between the parties involved in patient transport and that suspected/+SARSCov-19 cases are accurately identified so that resources are best managed and used and risks to accompanying personnel are reduced. Providing personal protective equipment to the personnel during transport, disinfection and decontamination of the ambulance are of great importance for the safety of pre-hospital emergency health personnel and patients with contact(-)/Covid-19(-). In this review, the principles and recommendations for the safe delivery of emergency aid ambulances and transports of SARS Cov-19 patients are emphasized.

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Simultaneous interfacility transfer of multiple non-critically ill COVID-19 patients using a single vehicle: the ambulance bus experience

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Burden of hospital admissions and resulting patient interhospital transports during the 2020/2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Saxony, Germany

Burden of hospital admissions and resulting patient interhospital transports during the 2020/2021 SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Saxony, Germany

Logistics of patient evacuation in response to disease Outbreaks: Critical considerations for transportation planning

Transport Organisation of Patients Diagnosed With Covid-19 in Pre-Hospital Emergency Health Services – Seeking Guides

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