Patients transfers from rural hospitals – are we getting it right?

Patient Safety in Rural Transfers – Baseline Audit Prior to an Educational Intervention.

Grant ID: EMSS-259R25-2016

Project Summary

The aim of this research was to provide preliminary data on patients transferred to Toowoomba Hospital from 18 rural hospitals within the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service. The data was collected via a retrospective audit in order to identify transfers where quality and safety may not have been optimal.

There has been no clear indication of the magnitude of the potential problems with patient transfers and no validated method for obtaining this information.

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Outcomes

Results pending publication.

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IMPACT

This study improved the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service's understanding of how rural hospital transfers are operating in the region. It also increased consideration of the factors associated with rural hospital transfers as immediate and ongoing issues. In addition, it also changed teaching in Toowoomba Hospital around rural hospital transfers as well as the conversations between hospitals in situations where a transfer may be required.

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