Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Medical Emergency Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
2
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
3
Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
4
Department of Medical Emergency, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
10.22034/sumsj.2026.589187.1139
Abstract
Introduction: Intra-hospital transport of critically ill patients is a high-risk process, and non-adherence to its standards can lead to serious adverse events. This study aimed to evaluate adherence to transport standards and the incidence of adverse events in these patients.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2024 to December 2024. A total of 200 intra-hospital transports of critically ill patients admitted to the 380-bed Besat Hospital in Hamadan were examined. Convenience sampling was performed during morning and evening shifts. Data were collected using an observational checklist of adherence to standards in three phases (pre-transport, intra-transport, and post-transport) and a researcher-made checklist of adverse events. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The mean ± standard deviation scores for adherence to transport standards in the pre-transport, intra-transport, and post-transport phases were 85.28 ± 3.86, 50.99 ± 19.41, and 83.84 ± 18.10, respectively, indicating a significant decrease during the intra-transport phase (P < 0.001), such that 73% of transports in this phase were rated as unfavorable (below 50). In this study, 32.5% of transports experienced at least one adverse event. The most common problems included improper patient transfer (8%), a decrease of more than 5 percentage points in oxygen saturation from baseline (6.5%), and significant systolic blood pressure fluctuations (5.5%). After transport, significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, along with significant decreases in level of consciousness and oxygen saturation, were observed (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Adherence to standards was generally relatively favorable, but the lowest adherence was observed during the intra-transport phase. Adverse events occurred in 32.5% of transports (65 out of 200). It is recommended to implement in-service training, a standard checklist, and an efficient transfer protocol.
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