Interhospital Transfer Center Model: Components, Themes, and Design Elements.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Systems Engineering
• Patient Transfer Logistics
• Tertiary Care Access

Background:

• Interhospital patient transfers are crucial for accessing specialized care.
• Current transfer systems are often fragmented and complex.
• Standardized models are needed to improve navigation and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify essential components of effective interhospital transfer systems.
• To propose a framework for designing and evaluating transfer centers.
• To address the fragmentation and complexity in patient transfer processes.

Main Methods:

• Nonparticipant observation was conducted.
• The study focused on 10 tertiary care transfer systems.
• Core operational components were identified through direct observation.

Main Results:

• Essential core components include the primary transfer answering point, bed management coordination, and transport team dispatch.
• These components are fundamental to an interhospital tertiary care transfer center.
• The study identified critical elements for successful transfer operations.

Conclusions:

• The Interhospital Transfer Center Model offers a valuable framework.
• This model can guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of transfer systems.
• Standardizing transfer processes can improve patient access to specialized treatment.