Transporting
patients is risky. It requires good communication, planning
and appropriate staffing. Any patient who requires transportation
must be effectively stabilized before departure. As a general
principle, patients should be transported only if they are
going to a facility that can provide a higher level of care.
Planning and preparation include consideration of:
| :: |
Type
of transport (car, landrover, boat, etc.) |
| :: |
Personnel
to accompany the patient |
| :: |
Equipment
and supplies required en route for routine and emergency
treatment |
| :: |
Potential
complications |
| :: |
Monitoring and final packaging of the patient. |
Effective communication is essential with:
| :: |
The
receiving centre |
| :: |
The
transport service |
| :: |
Escorting
personnel |
| :: |
The
patient and relatives. |
Effective
stabilization necessitates:
| :: |
Prompt
initial resuscitation |
| :: |
Control
of haemorrhage and maintenance of the circulation |
| :: |
Immobilization
of fractures |
| :: |
Analgesia. |
Remember,
if the patient deteriorates
| :: |
Re-evaluate
the patient by using the primary survey |
| :: |
Check
and treat life threatening conditions |
| :: |
Make
a careful assessment focusing on the affected system. |
Be
prepared: if anything can go wrong, it will – and at
the worst possible time!
|
