Abstract
Background: A critical-care transfer (CCT) involves the movement of a high-acuity patient from one medical facility to another by ambulance. CCTs are associated with increased stress for the emergency care provider conducting the transfer. Even though CCT forms a major component of the work of local ambulance services, the majority of local emergency medical care (EMC) education and training does not focus extensively on equipping its graduates to conduct CCTs. Internationally it is accepted that a specialised team using specialised equipment with a specially modified vehicle will conduct CCTs. The members of this team all would have completed specialised education and training before them being involved in CCTs. This is not the case in South Africa. It is commonly expected from advance life support providers, who have limited knowledge of ICU and CCTs, to conduct CCTs of high-acuity patients. At the time of this study, limited knowledge was available describing the experiences of emergency care providers conducting CCTs. It was felt important to investigate their experiences to identify possible shortcomings in the current education and training. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate, document and describe the experiences of Gauteng-based emergency care providers related to their conducting of CCTs...
M.Tech. (Emergency Medical Care)