interhospitalen

Interhospitalen, or interhospital transfer, is the process of moving a patient between hospitals to access a higher level of care, specialized services, or a different care setting when the originating facility cannot safely manage the condition. The goal is to ensure timely, appropriate treatment and to optimize outcomes through regional networks of care.

Transfers can involve patients who are stable or unstable and may use various transport modes. Ground ambulances equipped for critical care, air ambulances (helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft), and specialized critical care transport teams are commonly employed. Teams typically include clinicians such as physicians, nurses, and paramedics trained in monitoring, airway management, and advanced life support. Pre-transfer assessment prioritizes stabilization, then transport with continuous monitoring and documentation. Communication between sending and receiving facilities is essential to plan care and handoffs.

Indications for interhospital transfer include access to procedures or services not available at the originating hospital (for example, cardiac catheterization, neurosurgery, transplantation, or neonatal and pediatric advanced care), as well as bed or resource optimization within regional networks. Transfers may also result from the need for rehabilitation placement or organ, tissue, or blood product distribution.

Key components are standardized criteria, transfer agreements, and robust coordination among hospitals, ambulance services, and regulatory bodies. Safety considerations encompass patient stability, equipment compatibility, medication management, and high-quality handoffs while preserving patient privacy and consent.

Outcomes and challenges vary; timely, well-coordinated transfers can improve access to expertise and outcomes, whereas delays, transport risks, and cost considerations require ongoing optimization of regional transfer systems.