Transport of critically-ill patients

In Germany, interhospital transfer of critically ill patients (intensive care transport) is the responsibility of the emergency-care physician and necessitates additional skills and qualifications, as well as transport vehicles provided with appropriate intensive care facilities. Such vehicles include mobile intensive care units and intensive care helicopters, as well as so-called "dual-use ambulances". In many German "Lander", special concepts for intensive care transport are available. A carefully planned and executed process minimises the transportation risk for the patient. Additional training in the form of "crew resource management" is of particular importance. The same strict rules must also apply to the intrahospital transport of critically-ill patients.