Hassan, Khairul Nizam
(2006)
A study of adverse events of intra-hospital transportation of critically ill patients from the Emergency Department, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The transports of critically ill patients always involve some degree of risks to the
patient and sometimes to the accompanying personnel. It has been stated that when a
patient is transported from an ICU to a diagnostic area such as a radiology suite, they are
not in a hospital, but only close to one. lntrahospital transport refers to transportation of
patients within the hospital for a purpose of undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic
procedures, or transfer to a specialised unit. The basic reason for moving a critically ill
patient is the need for additional care, either technology and/or specialists not available at
the patient's current location. The objectives of this study are:
1. To detennine the prevalence of adverse events during transfer of critically ill
patients from emergency department to other specialised unit in HUSM.
2. To determine the prevalence for the requirement of therapeutic interventions
during transport.
3. To determine the factors predicting the occurrences of adverse events and the
requirement for major therapeutic intervention during the intrahospital transport.
RESULTS
A total of 257 transportations involving 247 critically-ill patients fulfilling the inclusion
and exclusion criteria arrived to emergency deparbnent were included in this study over
the period of twelve months. From this study, it was found out that:
1. There were no adverse events in 157 transports (61.5% ± 0.48). There was a
significant in at least one variable in 100 transports (38.90/0 ± 0.48%). Of these 100
transports, 68 (26.5%) had derangement in only the physiologic variables, 15 (5.8%)
had both a physiologic derangement and an equipment-related event, and 15 (5.9%)
required at least one major intervention. At least one equipment-related adverse event
occurred in 18 transports (7.0%). At least one major therapeutic intervention was
performed in 15 transports (5.9%).
2. There was no arrest or death during transport. The requirement for a major procedure
was 9.3% in mechanically ventilated patients versus 3.4% in non-ventilated patients.
3. Simple logistic regression analysis showed only pretransport Therapeutic Intervention
Scoring System was significantly associated with the development of physiologic
deterioration and the requirement for major intervention. The age and sex of the
patient, and the number of escort personnel accompanying the transport did not affect
the :frequency of adverse event.
CONCLUSION
From this study, majority of the critically ill patients transported from the
Emergency Department developed serious physiologic adverse events during
intrahospital transport.
Some of the clinical predictors such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate
and oxygen saturation by pulse oxymeter were shown to be a significant indicator in the
development of adverse events during transport of critically ill patients.
Severity of illness as shown by Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS)
is significantly associated with the physiological occurrence of adverse event and major
interventions. The team composition and equipment required on transport must be
commensurate with the pretransport severity of illness.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
