SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Safe Transfer of Appropriate Patients Between a Large Academic Medical Center and Affiliate Hospital

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This retrospective review evaluated the safety of transferring appropriate patients from a large academic medical center (UCSF) to an affiliated community hospital. Because interfacility transfers are increasingly used to manage bed capacity, the team wanted to better understand patient characteristics and outcomes for those selected by a triage hospitalist in the emergency department.<br /><br />Data from 651 transfers between August 2024 and August 2025 were extracted from the electronic health record systems (Cerner and Epic). The review included demographics, clinical outcomes, readmissions, and patient safety events such as code blues, rapid responses, delirium, infections, and falls.<br /><br />Key findings showed that the average time from the tertiary center ED to arrival at the affiliate hospital was 13 hours, and the mean length of stay at the community hospital was 4.5 days. After discharge, 27 patients returned to the academic center ED, were readmitted, and were transferred again to the community hospital. Readmission rates were 4.1% at 7 days and 8.7% at 30 days. There were two deaths, yielding a mortality rate of 0.31%.<br /><br />A preliminary subset analysis of 40 patients found no avoidable returns to the academic center and no clinical deterioration during transfer. In that subset, one death occurred and the 30-day readmission rate was 7.5%.<br /><br />Overall, the early data suggest that the transfer process is relatively safe and that patient selection is appropriate. The authors plan further manual chart review to examine narrative details and better assess causes of morbidity and mortality, delirium, and consultant use.

Asset Subtitle

Neal A. Tambe

Meta Tag

Author List Aniqa Azim, Anne Ritchie, Bradley Monash, Lukejohn W. Day MD, MBA, Michelle S. Mourad, Neal A. Tambe, Rashmi Manjunath, Shubhra Gupta

Category Research

Concept Patient Transfer

Concept Transfer Safety

Concept Bed Capacity

Concept Resource Allocation

Concept Eligibility

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization UCSF Division of Hospital Medicine

Presenting Author Neal A. Tambe

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

interfacility transfer

patient safety

retrospective review

academic medical center

community hospital

emergency department triage

readmission rate

mortality rate

electronic health record

bed capacity management

Patient Transfer

Transfer Safety

Bed Capacity

Resource Allocation

Eligibility