학술논문

A dedicated retrieval and transfer service: The QUARTS Project
Document Type
Report
Source
Nursing in Critical Care. May-June, 2008, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p162, 7 p.
Subject
Nurses
Language
English
ISSN
1362-1017
Abstract
To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-5153.2008.00272.x Byline: Sue Andrews (1), Sue Catlin (2), Nikki Lamb (3), Martin Christensen (4) Keywords: Patient retrieval; Patient transfer; STaR; Transport Abstract: Abstract Background: The transfer and/or retrieval of a critically patient is inherently dangerous not only for the patient but for staff as well. The quality and experience of unplanned transfers can influence patient mortality and morbidity. However, international evidence suggests that dedicated transfer/retrieval teams can improve mortality and morbidity outcomes. Aims: The initial aim of this paper is to describe an in-house competency-based training programme, which encompasses the STaR approach to develop members of our existing nursing team to be part of the dedicated transfer/retrieval service. The paper also presents audit data findings which examined the source of referrals, number of patients actually transferred and clinical status of those being transferred. Results: Audit data illustrate that the most frequent source of referrals comes from Accident and Emergency and the Surgical Directorate with the most common presenting condition being cardio-respiratory failure or arrest. Audit data reveal that the number of patients actually transferred or retrieved is relatively small (33%) compared with the overall number of requests for assistance. However, 36% of those patients transferred had a level 2 or level 3 acuity status that necessitated the admission to a critical care area. Conclusions: A number of studies have concluded that the ill-experienced and ill-equipped transfer team can place patients' at serious risk of harm. Whether planned or unplanned, dedicated critical care transfer/retrieval teams have been shown to reduce patient mortality and morbidity. Author Affiliation: (1)S Andrews, RGN, RSCN, DipHE (ICU), DipHE (Child), BSc (Hons), Sister, Department of Critical Care, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK (2)S Catlin, RGN, DipHE, ENB 100, Sister, Department of Critical Care, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK (3)N Lamb, RN, DipHE, ENB 100, Senior Staff Nurse, Department of Critical Care, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK (4)M Christensen, RGN, DipHE, PGCert (ICU), BSc (Hons), MSc, MA (Ed), Senior Lecturer, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK Article note: M Christensen, Bouremouth University, Royal London House, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH1 3LT, UK, E-mail: mchristensen@bournemouth.ac.uk