Abstract
Background
Inter-Hospital Transfer (IHT) may require an escort from the referring hospital, either a Registered Nurse (RN), physician or both, leading to a sudden drop in staffing levels within the referring department potentially increasing risk to patients and staff.
Aims
To explore the perspectives of RNs and physicians of differing experience levels when left behind due to an escorted IHT, and the decision-making protocols for IHT.
Method
A qualitative exploratory approach of 5 RNs and 4 physicians selected using purposeful sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and thematically analysed.
Findings: Five themes were identified: the impact of being left behind; the burden of transfer; missed care; a triangulation of competing needs upon the decision-making process; and the effect of inter-hospital transfers on staff with different experience levels.
Conclusion
IHT is described differently by less experienced RNs compared to their more experienced counterparts especially concerning safety and risk. Physicians described the department as vulnerable with ad-hoc decision-making protocols surrounding IHT the norm.
