MEASURES FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN SECONDA RY TRANSPORTATION .2. RESULTS OF AN INVESTIGATION INVOLVING 204 PATIENTS

A schematised documentation system for the recording of incidents, eve nts and complications (IEC) was developed, and its efficacy tested in 204 patients undergoing secondary transportation. Incidents, events an d complications occured at a rate of 14 percent. Only in 2 percent of all patients transported were measures aimed at controlling these comp lications (severity grade 3) in hand at the time of handover to the ad mitting hospital; in 1 percent, cardiac arrest occured while the patie nt was being handed over (severity grades 4 and 5). As was expected, p roblems were seen more frequently in patients with a high NACA score. The scheme tested proved suitable for use in the practical setting of the medical rescue service, unequivocally recording 97 percent of the incidents, events and complications occuring. An evaluation of the rec orded IEC numbers and their accumulation, contributes towards identify ing problems with structure- and process-related quality. In our own a rea, consequences drawn included the exchange of the fault-susceptible pulse oximeter previously employed, intensification of training in th e use of patient lifting and moving techniques, and the development of sensitivity towards monitoring during patient lifting and moving. Whe ther these measures will lead to an improvement in the quality of care afforded the patient can be determined in future on the basis of IEC recording.