Redcliffe Hospital clinicians train for safer patient transfers

Redcliffe Hospital ED clinicians took part in a workshop to improve patient transfer practices

Dr Oonagh Mitchell with QAS paramedics Fiona and Andrea

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Registrar Dr Oonagh Mitchell recently led a hands-on workshop with her Metro North Health colleagues from Redcliffe Hospital to improve the skills, knowledge and confidence of ED staff when transferring critically ill patients.

Dr Mitchell developed the workshop during a special skills term in her education, which has now been delivered to over 50 ED staff at Redcliffe and Logan Hospitals.

“I’m passionate about both education and retrieval medicine and am working to improve staff knowledge and patient outcomes in this area,” Dr Mitchell said.

“The workshop provides staff with a framework for managing transfers of critically ill patients through a series of interactive talks, practical workshops and simulation activities.”

The session presented participants with a range of cases they may experience in the real world and enabled them to practice what they’d learnt.

“The ED staff were asked to prepare simulated patients for transfer, including those who were intubated and ventilated and who need to be moved to another hospital with QAS paramedics,” she said.

“I created this workshop as I know that the transfer of our most critically unwell patients can be daunting for junior staff.

“There was an ambulance onsite for the workshop to enable participants to work together and with their QAS colleagues in an environment they may encounter in the real world.”

Now in its third year, Dr Mitchell is eager to expand the reach of the workshops across Queensland to further improve outcomes for patients.