Are Trainees Equipped to Transfer Critically Ill Patients?

Abstract

Transferring critically ill patients, whether intra- or inter-hospital, is an integral part of the daily working life of intensive care unit staff. It requires a multitude of skills, including thorough patient assessment, rigorous pre-transfer preparation, and constant vigilance throughout the transfer to ensure the safety of the patient. The development of these skills is a fundamental necessity for trainees in critical care. We investigated current critical care trainees' experience of patient transfer in one region in the UK, and assessed their views of their training in patient transfer. The results of our survey demonstrate some worrying conclusions about deficiencies in specific transfer training. We hope to encourage a discussion about the standards in transfer training which are needed and the best way to deliver such training.