Enhancing Safety in Intra-Hospital Patient Transport: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

This narrative review critically examines studies addressing safety concerns during intra-hospital patient transport (IHT). The aim is to identify challenges, protocols, and innovations that contribute to improving patient outcomes. A meta-analysis is also conducted to assess the prevalence of adverse events during IHT. Many critically sick patients must leave the ICU throughout their stay to receive specialized imaging (such as CT or MRI scans) or medical treatment (such as surgery or interventional procedures). It is crucial to recognize that taking an ICU patient outside of the unit requires more than just carrying out their critical care therapy. To prevent difficulties during intra-hospital transport (IHT), intensive care units and emergency departments should have a set of workable protocols (check-lists) for managing critically-ill adult patients. There are parameters included in the intrahospital transportation checklist Pre, during, and Post transportation. Pre-transportation refers to the period before patients are moved within the hospital. It was difficult to conduct the during phase for the patients and the last phase post transportation within the hospital regarding the state of the patients after the process because the patients’ encountered difficulties during the continuing procedure while being transported within the hospital. Patients who are in critical condition are more susceptible to adverse events (AEs) during transportation. Numerous reasons, such as unstable hemodynamics, continuous invasive advanced monitoring or organ support, the presence of several devices or catheters, or even a lack of communication among healthcare workers (HCWs), may be responsible for these adverse events (AEs). Patient characteristics, such as a severe illness, a large body mass, and the requirement for invasive mechanical breathing with a high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), cannot be changed.