Transfer Within A Facility
Patient transfer requires thorough preparation and careful documentation. Preparation includes an explanation of the transfer to the patient and his family and discussion of the patient’s condition and care plan with staff members on the receiving unit. Documentation of the patient’s condition before and during transfer and adequate communication between the nursing staff from each unit ensures continuity of nursing care and provides legal protection for the transferring unit and its staff members.1
Equipment
Admission inventory of belongings ▪ patient’s medical record and medication record ▪ medications ▪ bag or suitcase ▪ wheelchair or stretcher, as necessary.
Implementation
If the patient is being transferred from or to an intensive care unit, your facility may require new care orders from the patient’s doctor. If so, review the new orders with the nursing staff at the receiving unit.
Confirm the patient’s identity using at least two patient identifiers according to your facility’s policy.5
Explain the transfer to the patient and his family.6 If the patient is anxious about the transfer or his condition precludes patient teaching, explain the reason for the transfer to his family, especially if the transfer is the result of a serious change in the patient’s condition.
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