Patient Transport Policies

Patient transport ensures patients are safely transported throughout the hospital.

Patient transport employees are responsible for escorting patients throughout a medical facility. These employees must strictly follow patient transport policies to ensure the safety of every patient. Patient transport employees are trained in safety and customer service.

Scope of Service

According to Carolina's Medical Center, the patient transport department is responsible for moving patients all over a hospital system. Transport services include transportation to and from admissions, discharge, radiology, medical offices, clinics, emergency department, operating room, cardiac services, radiation oncology, dialysis, rehabilitation services, and between hospitals and buildings if applicable.

Safety Policies

Patient transportation departments must verify patient identity with two forms of verification. Transport employees must wash their hands before and after transporting a patient. Additionally, transport employees must communicate with patient care givers. All pertinent information must be communicated. Pertinent information includes patient vitals and any change in patient condition. Patients must be signed and in out of each unit.

Transport Employees

Transport employees must be highly qualified to complete their job. They must have excellent communication skills, work well with others and show compassion. Transport employees must be able to properly care for equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers) and alert maintenance if a piece of equipment needs repair. Transport employees must also be able to use tracking technology and lift up to 50 pounds.

Special Considerations

Patients with oxygen tanks require special considerations. According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, patient transport employees must ensure that each patient has a portable oxygen tank. The patient must be receiving oxygen during the entire transport. The transport employee must also alert the receiving unit that the patient will need an oxygen tank upon arrival.

References

• Carolinas Medical Center: Fundamentals for a Successful Patient Transport Department

Resources

• UPMC: Transporting Inpatients with Oxygen