Into the out: safety issues in interhospital transport of the critically ill

Excerpt

For an ICU patient the world outside in some way resembles outer space for an astronaut staying in the space shuttle. There is no survival without life-saving technical equipment and after leaving the safe haven (ICU or space shuttle) the return or the journey to the next safe place might be a real challenge. For the ICU patient this becomes particular true when leaving the hospital environment for an interhospital transport. In contrast to the astronaut a critically ill patient will not be in a self-competent status; he or she is completely dependent on the care of highly educated and competent physicians and nurses using the most advanced medical technology and therapies. …