Through attendance at various Regional and Statewide Medical Control Committee meetings it has come to our attention that there have been several cases of miscommunication
during ALS InterFacility Transports (IFTs). Specifically, patients who were critical or required rapid entrance and intervention have arrived at receiving facilities without timely, proper, or sufficient EMS notification. Poor communications during certain ALS IFTs of these critical patients have led to delays in patient care, confusion at receiving facilities, and EMS resources being delayed from clearing receiving facilities.
As an Association, we have agreed to assist all receiving facilities statewide with heightening awareness of this issue and working toward a solution. To that end, we are strongly recommending to all members that the following policy be implemented within their respective operations:
All ALS crews shall notify the hospital receiving an ALS IFT patient who is critical, unstable, or requires immediate attention/intervention (cardiac, stroke, trauma, etc.) via CMED no less than ten (10) minutes prior to their arrival. This CMED notification must be given in addition to other prior notification from the sending facility or ALS crew to provide the receiving facility with timely notice of the impending arrival of these patients. This notification shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Patient’s age and gender
Identification of the facility patient being transferred from
Chief complaint/reason for transport
Patient’s current status including vital signs if remarkable
Any special needs upon arrival (personnel, intervention, room, service, etc.)
Estimated Time of Arrival
Please feel free to contact Bill Mergendahl; 617.492.2700; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. UTH ; if you have any HTU questions or require assistance in any way.
Thank you all for your cooperation in working to improve the communications process for ALS IFT patients and patient care in the Commonwealth.
