Utilisation of patient transport crews, October 2008 - Ambulance ...

Standard Operating PolicyUtilisation of Patient Transport CrewsDocument Number SOP2008-033File No. 08/230Date issued 16 October 2008Author Branch General Manager OperationsBranch contact Evan ClarkDivision Operations - State HeadquartersSummary Outlines the policy for the utilisation of Patient TransportCrews.Applies to(bold indicatesselection)All Ambulance Service of NSW staffAll Operational StaffAll Administration staffAll Headquarters staffDivision staff (select Aero medical, Northern, Southern, Sydney,Western)Operations Centres (select All, Aero medical, Northern, Southern,Sydney, Western)Review date October 2010Previous reference This revised SOP replaces previous version of SOP2008- 030Status ActiveApproved by Chief ExecutiveCompliance with this policy directive is mandatory.SpaceSOP2008-033 Page 1 of 2

Standard Operating PolicyRationaleTo ensure the efficient and effective deployment of Patient Transport Officers.ProcedurePatient Transport Officers (PTOs) are an important resource and are only utilised for the undertakingof non-emergency transport. The following guidelines have been developed to assist deployment totheir full potential.The configuration of PTO vehicles is varied requiring the Operations Centre Officer to confirm thenumber and types of stretcher and seated patients they are able to provide transport to at any onetime.• The internal configuration does have physical barriers as the dual stretchers restrict movementand therefore precludes transport of any patient requiring active clinical monitoring or treatment.• If an escort (nurse, police etc) is provided for the purpose of continuation of active clinical care,possible intervention and monitoring then a frontline Ambulance resource should be considered.• PTOs will only undertake routine and non-emergency transports. Predominately, this would be DayTreatments and Convalescent patients and some medicals may also be appropriate. Specifically,PTOs should be considered for utilisation on: All cases that require no active clinical treatment or monitoring. Priority 3 cases where patient is going for general admission – not to Casualty. Assist Loads Megalift stretcher cases – consult DOCO prior to allocation• For all Aero-medical transports (Priority 4) cases, consideration should be given to the patient’sdiagnosis and any information indicating monitoring or IV therapy (active treatment) in progress ormay be required enroute. Air Ambulance will indicate if the case is appropriate for PTO transport.• Consideration should be given to avoid using PTOs for single patient long distance transports. Itmay be more efficient to utilise a frontline ambulance and deploy the PTOs to areas of higherworkload.• In the event of a single PTO being rostered, consideration should be given to teaming the singlewith an Ambulance Officer to make a double team. In this instance however, the vehicle shallremain a patient transport vehicle and is not to be considered or utilised as an emergencyresource. Should any resistance be met then it will be referred to the area for determination.• It is appropriate that PTOs may advise Operations Centre Officers of their inability to undertake thetransport of a patient due to the internal configuration of their vehicle or clinical level required.• PTOs must be provided with a 30 minute crib break between the 4 th and 7 th hour of their shift• PTOs are not to be used as an emergency response.SOP2008-033 Page 2 of 2