Intrahospital Transport of Critically Ill Patients

Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients involves the movement of individuals requiring intensive monitoring and life-support interventions between locations within the same hospital, typically for diagnostic imaging, interventional procedures or transfer to specialised units. This process exposes patients to physiological stress, equipment disconnection, environmental changes and staff handovers, all of which may precipitate adverse events such as haemodynamic instability, respiratory compromise or device malfunction. Over time, efforts to standardise practice through pre-transport checklists, dedicated transport teams and continuous monitoring have reduced but not eliminated these risks. Technological advances in portable ventilators, telemetry systems and compact monitoring devices have enhanced safety during transit, while structured training programmes aim to equip multidisciplinary teams with the skills to anticipate and manage complications. Despite these improvements, variability persists in protocols, staffing models and equipment availability across institutions and regions, with significant implications for patient outcomes. As demand for advanced imaging and complex procedures grows globally, the optimisation of intrahospital transport pathways remains a priority for improving continuity of care, minimising delays and ensuring the safety of vulnerable patients during critical transitions.

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Intrahospital Transport of Critically Ill Patients publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in intrahospital transport of critically ill patients across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Intrahospital transport (IHT): Movement of critically ill patients within a hospital for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Adverse event (AE): Any unintended medical occurrence during transport that may compromise patient safety.

Graded transport mode: A tiered approach in which transport personnel and equipment are matched to patient acuity.

Intrahospital Transport Safety Scale (IHTSS): A structured questionnaire measuring readiness and risk factors for safe patient transit.

Capacity transfer: Relocation of a patient between units to manage bed availability in intensive care settings.

References

1. Unit-to-unit transfer due to shortage of intensive care beds in Sweden 2015–2019 was associated with a lower risk of death but a longer intensive care stay compared to no transfer: a registry study. Journal of Intensive Care (2024).
2. Reliability and validity assessment of the Chinese version of the Intrahospital Transport Safety Scale (IHTSS) in intensive care units. BMC Nursing (2024).
3. Effectiveness of the graded transport mode for the intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A retrospective study. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).