Objectives

Identify injured patients who may require

transfer from primary facility to trauma

center

Initiate procedures for optimal, safe patient transfer

Key Questions

What is the problem?

Who do I transport?

Where should I send the patient?

When should I transfer the patient?

How should I transport the patient?

Transfer Principles

Know institutional capabilities

Be prepared, anticipate patient needs

Do no further harm

Identify patients whose needs exceed local resources

Perform only essential procedures

Transfer Principles

Establish direct communication between referring and receiving doctors

Transport to closest, appropriate facility

Use most appropriate mode of transport

What is the problem?

What are the patients injuries ?

What additional information is needed from the prehospital personnel ?

What preparations are necessary?

What are the patients need? Can they

be fulfilled?

Who do I transport?

Multiple-injured patients

Patients whose needs exceed institutional capabilities

Patients with comorbidities

Extremes of age

Preexisting disease

Where do I send the patient?

To an institution capable of providing equipment and resources

To an appropriate, qualified surgeon who can

Make the diagnosis

Manage the patients injuries

Provide commitment and resources

When do I transfer?

After life-threatening problems are managed

After disabling injuries are stabilized

After transfer is arranged

Before performing unnecessary test and procedures

Avoid delay!

How do I transport?

Determine by:

Care required en route

Patient destination

Available resources

Existing transfer agreements

What is the problem? Not all hospitals can care for all trauma patients

Who do I transfer? Patients whose needs exceed local resources.

Where should I send the patient? Ideally, to a verified trauma center.

When should I transport the patient? After immediate, life-threatening injuries are addressed.

How should I transport the patient? According to the patients needs and available resources.