ABSTRACT
Background: Mishaps are common during transport and may have major impacts on patients
Aims: The main objectives of our study are: first to determine the incidence of complications during intra hospital transports [IHT] of critically ill patients, and second, to determine their risk factors
Methods: All intra hospital transports for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of patients consecutively admitted in an 18-bed medical surgical intensive care unit in an university hospital, have been studied prospectively during a period of six months [September 1st 2012 to February 28th 2013]
Results: Of 184 transports observed [164 patients], 85 [46.2%] were associated with mishaps. Eighty two mishaps were patient-related [44.5%].Oxygen desaturation [30 cases], agitation [24 cases] and hemodynamic instability [15 cases] were predominantly. One case of cardiac arrest and 3 cases of accidental extubation were occurred during IHT. Seventy three systems-based mishaps were noted [39.6%]. Emergency transports, mechanical ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] >/= 6 cmH2O were independent risk factors for a higher rate of mishaps. In our study, complications did not statistically increase ventilator-associated pneumonia
Conclusion: This study confirms that IHT of critically-ill patients still involves considerable risks and mishaps incidence remains high