5 Key Steps for Safe Inter-hospital Transfers

The increased expansion of health care systems allows patients to be moved more easily to receive specialized care. However, there are unique safety risks and considerations when transferring a patient to a different location. Here are five key takeaways from guidelines developed by the Academic Medical Center Patient Safety Organization (AMC PSO) to address existing and emerging risks during inter-hospital transfers.

  1. Determine whether the benefits of transfer outweigh the risks with input from the care team, patient, and family
  2. Establish a closed-loop communication process between the referring and accepting clinicians
  3. Identify whether the referring and accepting institutions share an EHR or not, and make sure there is a reliable way to exchange information during the transfer
  4. Ensure there are clear communication channels with the transport team
  5. Anticipate the risks associated with a delayed or prolonged transfer

Download Patient Safety Guidance for Inter-hospital Transfers for more recommendations.

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