Safe Transport

The intrahospital transport of patients is inherently risky and requires attention to safety practices to avoid pitfalls and complications. The risks of transport frequently are overlooked while the production pressure of reducing the time for transport to and from the operating room is highly valued. In the rush to start or end a case, it is easy to see how having all of the required transport equipment can be missed. Although a problem during a relatively short ICU to OR transport is unlikely, there are many examples in the literature of patient harm associated with transport. The rate of adverse events requiring intervention related to intrahospital transport are reported to be as high as 4-9% with complications as high as 50-68% (Crit Care 2010;14:R87; Acad Emerg Med 2007;14:574-7; Ann Intensive Care 2013;3:10; J Intensive Care Med 2009;24:108-15; Intensive Care Med 2004;30:1579-85). In one series, the most common unexpected events...