Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A cross-sectional survey of Nurses' attitudes and experiences in adult intensive care units

Abstract

Aims: To describe adult intensive care nurses' experiences and attitudes towards intrahospital transport (IHT) of critically ill patients and to assess the relationship between nurses' characteristics, attitudes and experiences. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Factor analysis identified factors within the attitudinal and experience domains. Univariate analysis was performed to demonstrate the relationship between attitudinal and experience factors and demographic and professional characteristics of the participants. Multiple regression equations were applied to determine associations between nurses' experiences and attitudes. The study took place from July to August 2019. Results: A total of 480 nurses from 12 adult intensive care units in China participated, with a response rate of 65%. Most respondents had a baccalaureate nursing degree (75%). The majority (80%) had participated in IHT of critically ill more than five times in the previous 12 months and 90% agreed that checklists led to an improvement in patient safety during transport. However, 75% of respondents expressed that transport increased the workload of the nurses who accompany patients off unit and those who remained in the intensive care unit (66%). Variables that were associated with a favourable perception of transport competency and checklists/tool use were nurses' prior transport experiences and knowledge/training. Conclusion: Nurses perceived IHT was a sourse of stress and increased workload. Checklists and training were beneficial for patient safety during IHT. Impact: The findings point out a clear need for ICU nurse training, standardised policy/procedure and customisation of existing intrahospital transfer checklists according to hospital procedures and local circumstances. New research is needed to evaluate the impact of novel IHT interventions on patient safety and nurses' stress.