Transfer of a critically ill coronavirus disease patient

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a feature of SARS-CoV-2, and transferring patients with severe ARDS is challenging owing to their condition and risk of infection during the transfer process. The hemodynamic instability of critically ill patients adds to the challenge of safe transfer, which requires thorough preparation of personnel, medication, equipment, and communication and transport methods, all of which must be organised within the infection control framework. In this case report we discuss a woman, 37 years of age, with suggested COVID-19, intubated due to severe ARDS. Owing to the hospital referral policy in Indonesia, the patient was transferred to a specialist infectious disease hospital by land ambulance, with a special transfer team formed to adhere to infection control protocols and critical patient transfer procedures.