Nurses' Experiences of Intrahospital Patient Transfer in a University Hospital

BACKGROUND: Intrahospital transfer is a fundamental component of critical care. However, the clinical instability of critically ill patients, their need for continuous monitoring and their dependence on advanced life-support equipment may pose various patient-safety risks during intrahospital transfer. AIM: To explore the intrahospital patient transfer experiences of nurses working in a university hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. The study was conducted with 22 nurses working in the adult intensive care units and inpatient wards of a university hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face, in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Content analysis identified three themes and seven subthemes describing nurses' experiences of intrahospital patient transfer. The themes were: (1) Gaps in Information Transfer and Collaboration, (2) Organisational and Procedural Barriers and (3) Conditions Supporting Safe Coordinated Patient Transfer. The findings showed that nurses experienced intrahospital patient transfer as a multidimensional process involving clinical information transfer, patient preparation, interprofessional and interunit coordination, workflow organisation, staffing adequacy, appropriate timing, standard procedures, teamwork and organisational support. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that safe intrahospital patient transfer is not limited to the physical movement of the patient; rather, it is a holistic process requiring effective information transfer, interprofessional and interunit coordination, appropriate timing, adequate staffing and organisational support. Healthcare organisations are advised to integrate standard procedures and structured communication tools into institutional practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Safe intrahospital transfer requires effective coordination and communication between sending and receiving teams at all stages of the transfer process. Healthcare organisations should establish standardised protocols that clearly define pre-transfer patient preparation, transfer timing, requirements for clinical information transfer and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals. Structured communication tools should be used to support continuity of care and patient safety. These practices are particularly important for ensuring the safe transfer of critically ill patients.