| Abstract
Background: Adverse events during patient transport are common and may threaten
critically ill patients' lives.
Aims and objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of adverse events
during intra-hospital transport and to obtain suggestions from critical care nurses for
improving the transportation process.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Methods: This study was carried out with 160 critical care nurses between September
2018 and January 2019. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview using
a 53-item questionnaire developed by Brunsveld-Reinders et al. It assesses nurses' experiences
of adverse events during the three phases of intra-hospital transport related to
equipment, patient physiology, monitoring, medications, and fluid management. The
data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS software, and the responses of
open-ended questions were analysed using a conventional qualitative content analysis.
Results: On scales from 0 to 10, the mean (and SD) values of fear, confidence, and skill
to carry out a safe intra-hospital transport were 2.66 (2.73), 6.45 (3.16), and 7.75
(1.55), respectively. The most important causes of feeling afraid or unconfident about
the transport among the nurses were unstable patient condition, cardiac arrest,
extubation, and oxygen desaturation. In all three phases, oxygen desaturation,
haemodynamic instability, and agitation were reported as the most frequent events.
The most important suggestions by nurses for improving the transport process were
related to paying attention to the patient's clinical condition and connections before,
during, and after the transfer.
Conclusions: Along with the acquisition and improvement of technical and tactical
skills, adequate human resources and appropriate equipment can improve the quality
of intra-hospital transport.
Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses are key members of the transport team and lead
the team. They are responsible for keeping patients safe during transport. By identifying
adverse events and trying to modify risk factors, nurses can improve patients' safety. |