SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Indications and Outcomes of Interhospital Transfers to an Academic Center

Pdf Summary

This retrospective chart review examined 102 interhospital transfers accepted to a quaternary academic hospital hospitalist service between March 27 and June 30, 2023. The study aimed to describe why patients were transferred and what happened after arrival, including procedures, length of stay, mortality, and 30-day readmission.<br /><br />The most common reasons for transfer were to receive therapeutic procedures, obtain expert evaluation, undergo diagnostic testing, or continue care after prior treatment at the academic center. Transfers were accepted more often during daytime hours (69%) than nighttime hours (31%), though many requests still occurred overnight. Patients commonly required multiple specialty consults, with the most frequent services including cardiology and other subspecialties.<br /><br />Among patients transferred primarily for procedures, 22.2% were ultimately not considered candidates for the intended intervention, suggesting that transfer screening could be improved. For those who did receive a procedure, the average time from arrival to procedure was 2.5 days.<br /><br />Overall, the findings show that interhospital transfers are used to access specialized expertise and resources not available at sending hospitals, but they also represent a higher-risk population. The authors note that these patients have increased rates of readmission and mortality compared with typical admissions. A key takeaway is that better pre-transfer evaluation may help reduce unnecessary transfers and improve efficiency.

Asset Subtitle

Natalie Plick

Meta Tag

Author List Erin Gabriel, Natalie Plick, Vinh-Tung Nguyen

Category Research

Concept Pediatric Inter-Hospital Transfer

Concept High-Risk Population

Concept Therapeutic Procedure

Concept Retrospective Chart Review

Concept Procedure Completion

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Mount Sinai Hospital

Presenting Author Natalie Plick

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

interhospital transfers

quaternary academic hospital

hospitalist service

retrospective chart review

specialty consults

therapeutic procedures

diagnostic testing

transfer screening

length of stay

30-day readmission

Pediatric Inter-Hospital Transfer

High-Risk Population

Therapeutic Procedure

Retrospective Chart Review

Procedure Completion