47 / 66
45
Patient transfer issues
7.8.
The treating surgeon was asked to provide information on patients who required interhospital transfer as part of their
care, and this included information on the timeliness and appropriateness of the transfer.
Treating surgeons were also asked to record any perceived clinical issues associated with individual patient transfers.
Figure 27: Interhospital transfer issues.
Note: total n=366 transfer issues in 1,181 transfer cases.
Audit period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2015.
Comments:
•
The patient underwent a transfer to another hospital in 22.7% (1,181/5,184) of cases.
•
The frequency of patients requiring transfer for definitive care has remained similar throughout the audit period
•
Various issues of care related to transfers were identified in 30.9% (366/1,181) of patients requiring transfer.
Figure 27 demonstrates the spectrum of all issues identified by surgeons.
•
Inappropriate level of care during transfer was identified in 4.2% (50/1,181) of cases.
•
It was felt that inadequate clinical information and documentation had been provided to the receiving hospital in
5.6% (67/1,181) of cases.
•
In 11.1% (130/1,181) of cases it was felt that the transfer had occurred inappropriately late in the course of the
illness.
•
Delays and problems in transfer can cause risks and challenges posed by shared care. There is a need to improve
the safety of patient care in such settings and implement clear communication channels with relevant patient care
teams.
Transfer delay
Inappropriate
transfer
Inappropriate level of
care
Insufficient clinical
documentation
2007-2012
12.7%
8.1%
4.7%
6.4%
2012-2013
9.1%
5.3%
3.3%
5.5%
2013-2014
12.0%
6.4%
4.8%
5.4%
2014-2015
9.5%
6.2%
4.4%
5.7%
0%
5%
10%
15%
Transfer issue (%)
11.3%
Transfer delays
2007-2014
9.5%
Transfer delays
2014-2015
Audit period