How Safe Are Neurosurgical Patients during Intrahospital Transportation?

Abstract

Abstract Background Transporting critically sick neurosurgical patients from the intensive care environment for diagnostic procedures has become increasingly common. The occurrence of physiologic compromise and technical mishaps has been recognized. Objective To assess predeparture, in-transit, and arrival procedures and documentation during intrahospital transport of critically sick neurosurgical patients. Materials and Methods In a study of consecutive 30 patients, the transfer/shifting details were prospectively analyzed. Results The present study did not document any untoward incident and fixed protocol/checklist was followed for all cases/transfers. Conclusion The study concluded that safe intrahospital transport of critically sick neurosurgical patients can be ensured by following a systemic checklist. So, there is a need to utilize transportation checklist for better outcome of neurosurgical patients.

Keywords

• intrahospital transport
• critically sick neurosurgical patients
• checklist