Intrahospital Transport

Abstract

The safest place for the critically ill patient is stationary in the ICU, connected to a sophisticated ventilator with all infusion pumps running smoothly, complete monitoring installed, and with a nurse present to care for the patient. However, with increasing technological advancements, it is almost routine for critically ill patients to be transported out of the ICU for a variety of tests and procedures. Data suggest that between 25 and 50% of patients undergo intrahospital transports during their ICU stay, with many patients having multiple transports. The commonest reason for an intrahospital “road trip” is transport to the radiology suite for a CT scan.^1,2 Hurst et al.² reported that the average duration of an intrahospital critical care transport was 74 min. In general, transported patients have significantly higher severity of illness scores, greater use of vasopressors and mechanical ventilation, and longer ICU and hospital length of stay and higher hospital mortality than do non-transported patients.¹ These patient factors significantly increase the risks of transport.