Safety First! Using a Checklist for Intrafacility Transport of Adult Intensive Care Patients
Odette Y Comeau1, Josette Armendariz-Batiste2, Scott A Woodby2
1Odette Y. Comeau is an adult critical care clinical nurse specialist at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas.Josette Armendariz-Batiste is the director of patient care and assistant chief nursing officer for adult medical-surgical and critical care units at UTMB Galveston.Scott A. Woodby is a nurse clinician in the medical intensive care unit/cardiac care unit at UTMB Galveston. oycomeau@utmb.edu.
Background:
Adult critical care patients in an academic medical center experienced adverse events during intrafacility transport resulting from lack of preparation. An intervention was needed to help keep patients safe during intrafacility transport.
Objective:
To develop a checklist for transport that is easy to use and effective in preparing patients for transport.
Method:
A checklist was developed and implemented. Elements of the checklist include preparation of the patient before transport, screening of patients for criteria that may place them at higher risk during transport, and a checklist for the procedural site.
Results:
From May 2011 through July 2014, 2506 transports were conducted. Of these, 97.6% (n = 2445) involved no reported complications.
Conclusion:
This tool is suitable for bedside clinicians to use when preparing patients for transport.
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