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Risk events during intrahospital transport of patients from the emergency department: a prospective observational study.
- Source :
-
Emergency medicine journal : EMJ [Emerg Med J] 2021 Oct; Vol. 38 (10), pp. 776-779. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Aug 24. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: We aimed to determine the incidence, nature of and predisposing factors for risk events (REs) that occur during the intrahospital transport of patients from the ED.<br />Methods: We undertook a prospective, observational study of intrahospital patient transports from a single ED between 30 January and 20 March 2020. An investigator attended each transport and recorded any RE on a specifically designed data collection document. An RE was any mishap, even if not foreseen, that had the potential to cause the patient harm. A patient equipment number was assigned based on the number of pieces of equipment required during the transport. Poisson regression generated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and determined risk factors for REs.<br />Results: Of 738 transports, 289 (39.1%, 95% CI 35.6% to 42.8%) had at least one RE. The total of 521 REs comprised 125 patient-related, 279 device-related and 117 line/catheter-related REs. The most common included trolley collisions (n=142), intravenous fluid line catching/tangling (n=93), agitation/aggression events (n=31) and cardiac monitoring issues (n=31). Thirty-four (6.5%) REs resulted in an undesirable patient outcome, most commonly distress and pain. Predisposing factors for REs included an equipment number ≥3 (IRR 5.68, 95% CI 3.95 to 8.17), transport to a general ward (IRR 2.68, 95% CI 2.12 to 3.39), hypertension (IRR 1.93, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.50), an abnormal temperature and a GCS<14.<br />Conclusions: REs are common in transport of patients from the ED and can result in undesirable patient outcomes. Adequate pre-transfer preparation, especially securing equipment and lines, would result in a reduced risk.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Child, Preschool
Critical Illness therapy
Emergency Service, Hospital organization & administration
Emergency Service, Hospital statistics & numerical data
Equipment Failure statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Transfer classification
Patient Transfer statistics & numerical data
Prospective Studies
Psychomotor Agitation drug therapy
Psychomotor Agitation prevention & control
Risk Factors
Victoria
Emergency Service, Hospital standards
Patient Transfer standards
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1472-0213
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 34429370
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2021-211409