The traveling intensive care unit patient: Road trips

Transport of critically ill or injured patients in the hospital is a necessary part of ICU care. Although the overall severity of misadventures occurring during patient transfer is minimal, potential complications risk patient deterioration in settings that may not be equipped to handle cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurologic emergencies safely. The critical care team should provide the same level of monitoring and care to the transported patient outside the ICU as he or she receives the unit. Each hospital should have a system that meets acceptable standards for safe transfer of the ICU patient, which minimizes risk and maximizes diagnostic and treatment yield.