Source · HSSIB Patient Safety Investigation
Transfer of critically ill adults
Published 24 January 2019
Launched 20 June 2017
Published
HSIB Legacy
Access to care
Hospital care
This investigation looks at the transfer of critically ill adults. It has previously been referred to as 'Cardiac and vascular pathways', but the original investigation was split. This is part one of the investigation.
Summary
2 recommendations
2 of 2 responded
Safety Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Department of Health and Social Care
It is recommended that the Department of Health and Social Care should co-ordinate the development of national guidance, with the arm’s length bodies, for the transfer of critically ill adults, both in planned and emergency situations.
The Department of Health and Social Care will coordinate the development of national guidance for transferring critically ill adults, currently scoping the work with arm’s-length bodies.
Response received 23 April 2019
The Department of Health and Social Care will take on a coordinating role alongside arms-length bodies to ensure that external stakeholders are appropriately consulted on the content of national guidance. We are currently conducting work to determine the scope of the updated guidance, and will provide HSIB with quarterly progress updates as work progresses to complete the scoping exercise and begin the process of producing updated guidance. Response received on 23 April 2019.
Recommendation 2
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
It is recommended that the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives should work with partners to define best practice standards for the criteria, format, delivery and receipt of ambulance service pre-alerts.
The Ambulance Lead Paramedics Group is assessing current ambulance pre-alert practices with partners to define best practice standards, hoping to agree on guidance.
Response received 18 April 2019
The National Ambulance Medical Directors Group (NASMeD) have considered your report and recognises the importance that pre-alerts from ambulance service to hospitals can play in the delivery of care to patients. The Ambulance Lead Paramedics Group (ALPG) have been asked by NASMeD to assess current practice across the 10 regional English Ambulance Services and to take forward your recommendation. As you are aware, variation exists and for a variety of reasons. To better understand the complexities, ALPG will work with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and from this work, we hope that best practice guidance can be agreed. NASMeD will look to support this work as necessary and if it is helpful we can update you in due course as to further progress. Response received on 18 April 2019.