Stretcher Transportation Services

Decision Guide for Choosing Appropriate Patient Transportation

April 20, 2015 – Version 1.0

Implementation Branch
Health System Performance and Accountability Division
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Introduction
• The objective of the MOHLTC Decision Guide is to provide a framework for the application of
current and emerging best practices for appropriately selecting between modes of transportation.
• The MOHLTC Decision Guide is intended as a provincial reference resource for hospitals to use
and adapt to their particular needs, resources, and patients when making arrangements for non-
urgent patient transportation by an ambulance or non-ambulance Stretcher Transportation Services
(STS) provider.
• The MOHLTC Decision Guide:
• Provides a synthesis of existing tools and guides.
• Includes a decision-making algorithm and supplementary guidance for consideration at each
step in the algorithm.
• Is not a substitute for clinical decision making‎by the health care professionals responsible for
individual patients.
• Note that the focus of the MOHLTC Decision Guide is on non-ambulance transportation by
stretcher. LHINs and hospitals are encouraged to develop locally tailored guidelines addressing
non-stretcher modes of transportation for ambulatory and wheelchair-dependent passengers.
• Hospitals are encouraged to use the most appropriate cost effective mode of transport.
• Sources for current content are marked by footnotes, and footnoted sources are listed in
Attachment 3.

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Algorithm for Choosing Appropriate Patient Transportation

*NOTE - Non-stretcher transport is

outside the scope of the MOHLTC
Q1: Does the person Non-stretcher Decision Guide. An escort and/or
NO equipment may be required by persons
require a stretcher? Transport*
using non-stretcher transport. Non-
stretcher options include taxi,
wheelchair taxi, and private automobile.

YES

**NOTE – The Ambulance Act states

"ambulance" means a conveyance used
or intended to be used for the
Q2: Is the person Ambulance transportation of persons who,
YES
medically unstable? Transport**
(a) have suffered a trauma or an acute
onset of illness either of which could
endanger their life, limb or function, or
NO (b) have been judged by a physician or
a health care provider designated by a
physician to be in an unstable medical
condition and to require, while being
Q3: Does the person transported, the care of a physician,
nurse, other health care provider,
require an escort to mitigate NO emergency medical attendant or
against a risk of clinical paramedic, and the use of a stretcher
decline?
Q4: Can
the person’s care needs
be met by the transport provider
and receiving facility? YES

YES

NO

Arrange for accompanying Stretcher

escort / equipment Transport

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Q1: Does the person require a stretcher?
Situation: A person requires transport.
Task: The care team should determine whether the person requires a stretcher.
The following table lists examples of indicators of whether a stretcher is required. (Note: these lists are not exhaustive):

Indicators that stretcher is required Indicators that stretcher IS NOT required

• The person may be medically unstable or at high risk of becoming • The person is fully mobile (even if the person has an assistive
medically unstable, such that a health care provider may require that device)1,2,3
the person be on a stretcher in order to provide medical
• The person has a fitness level to match the level of exertion required
interventions (See next slide).11
for the journey.11
• The‎person’s‎clinical‎condition‎requires‎them‎to‎be‎recumbent‎while‎
• The person is not restrained11
being transported.10,11
• Other indicators
• The person may be a danger to themselves, escorts or vehicle
attendants because of cognitive or mental health issues and may be
required to be restrained while on a stretcher.11 (Note – As noted on
page 5, chemical or physical restraint is an indicator suggesting
medical instability and the person may not be appropriate for STS)
• Person needs transport from bed-to-bed (may include transfer
assistance to an exam table).11
• The person requires a stretcher to transfer to/from the vehicle.1,2,3
• Other indicators

Action:
• If the person requires a stretcher, proceed to Q2.
• If the person does not require a stretcher, arrange for a non-stretcher transport provider (e.g. taxi, wheelchair accessible van, private vehicle).
• NOTE: Non-stretcher transport is outside the scope of the MOHLTC Decision Guide. An escort and/or equipment may be required by
persons using non-stretcher transport.

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 Q2: Is the person medically unstable?
Situation: A person requires a stretcher for transport.
Task: The care team, including the most responsible physician or physician-designated health care provider, should determine whether the person
who requires transport is medically unstable and requires, while being transported, the care of a physician, nurse, other health care provider, or
paramedic.
The following table lists examples of indicators of medical stability. (NOTE – the list is not exhaustive). The table is continued on the next page.

Indicators that suggest the person IS medically stable Indicators that suggest the person IS NOT medically stable

• Stable vitals signs1,2,3 • Life, limb, or function are endangered1,2

• Stable airway1 o Attachment 1 provides examples of medical conditions that are
considered life or limb threatening
• No expected threat to life or function1
• Unstable vitals2
• Minimal monitoring required1
• One or more body systems are abnormal & rapidly deteriorating in
• Low risk of changing status1
association with an acute illness or injury1
• IV locked or no IV1,2,7
• Patients whose vital signs or stability is immediately dependent upon
• Other indicators proper drug therapy6
• Uncontrollable blood sugars9
• Multiple trauma1
• Chemically or physically restrained3
• Require continuous cardiac monitoring and/or the potential for
cardiac resuscitation capability6
• Mentally unstable11

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Q2: Is the person medically unstable? (continued)
• The table below is a continuation of the table from the previous page.

Indicators that suggest the person IS medically stable Indicators that suggest the person IS NOT medically stable

• Patient requires intense monitoring & medical interventions,

constant life support to correct & stabilize the patient's condition1,4,5,6
o Acutely abnormal or deteriorating neurological status1
o Severe, acute respiratory distress1
o Hypertensive emergencies, severe hypotension or shock 1,6
o Unstable angina2
o Continuous IV with vasoactive medications2
o Intubated/ventilated person in respiratory distress1,2
• Other indicators

• If the medical stability of the person is in question, he or she should be sent by ambulance.

Action:
• If the person IS medically stable, proceed to Q3.

• If the person IS NOT medically stable and requires, while being transported, the care of a physician, nurse, other health care provider, or
paramedic, arrange for transport by ambulance.

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Q3: Does the person require an escort to mitigate against a risk of clinical decline?

Situation: A person requiring stretcher transport has been determined to be medically stable but may require assistance and/or monitoring by an
escort during transport to mitigate against a risk of clinical decline.

Task: The care team, including the most responsible physician or designated health care provider, should :
a) Assess‎the‎person’s‎nature‎and‎magnitude‎of‎risk‎for‎clinical‎decline‎during‎transport;‎and
b) For persons at high risk, consider whether the person should be deemed to be medically unstable and transported by ambulance;
c) For persons at low to moderate risk, identify the‎person’s‎clinical‎care‎needs‎with‎respect‎to‎mitigating‎that‎risk,‎determine‎whether‎the‎
stretcher transport provider can meet those needs, and, if not, determine which clinical escort and equipment the hospital can provide or
arrange for to best meet those needs; and,
d) For persons at negligible to low risk, proceed to Q4 to assess whether there are any other care needs that require an escort or equipment.

• Remember that:
• The person’s‎risk‎for‎clinical‎decline‎during‎transport‎must‎be determined for both the outgoing and return legs of the journey. Take into
consideration the travel time of each leg.
• Patients who are coded by the ambulance dispatcher as Code 1 or 2 (non-urgent) may be deferred by EMS to allow the ambulance provider
to respond to code 3 and 4 (urgent) calls. Deferral can lead to delays in treatment, and the risks in connection with the potential for deferral
should be‎considered‎during‎the‎determination‎of‎whether‎a‎patient’s‎risk can be most appropriately managed by arranging for an
ambulance or for STS with a hospital escort and/or equipment.
• Your local stretcher transport provider(s) have specific services and skills.
• Stretcher transport providers are expected to call 911 if the clinical condition of their passenger worsens.

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Q3: Does the person require an escort to mitigate against a risk of clinical decline? (continued)

The following table lists examples of indicators of risk of clinical decline during transport (NOTE – the list is not exhaustive).

Indicators that the person is at LOW risk for clinical decline Indicators that the person is at MODERATE risk for clinical
during transport decline during transport
• Hemodynamically stable9 • Acute deterioration not anticipated, however continuous supervision
required1,2,9
• Stable vital signs and airway1
• Abnormal or fluctuating but not acutely deteriorating neurological
• No expected threat to life or function1
status1,2,9
• Minimal monitoring required1
• Cardiovascular abnormalities but presently stable with potential for
• Expected that no interventions will be required during transport1 deterioration1
• IV locked or no IV1,7 • Respiratory compromise with adequate airway & no immediate
threat to life1
• Other indicators
• Interventions may be necessary during transport (i.e. intravenous
medications, other medication administration)1,2,9
• Invasive tubes2
• 3 lead EKG monitoring7,9
• Basic cardiac medications e.g. heparin, nitro7,9
• Recent seizure activity9
• Other indicators

To mitigate against the potential risk of clinical deterioration, an escort may be required to:
• Monitor, manage, discontinue IV
• Administer, adjust medication
• Monitor health status and respond to changes
• Respond to airway changes, suction
• Protect person from injury
Note – A person under Form 1 of the Mental Health Act requires an appropriately trained health care provider escort with or without a security
escort.

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Q3: Does the person require an escort to mitigate against a risk of clinical decline? (continued)

Action:
• If the person is at MODERATE risk for clinical decline during transport:
• Identify‎the‎person’s‎clinical‎care‎needs‎with‎respect‎to‎mitigating‎that‎risk;
• Determine whether the stretcher transport provider can meet those clinical care needs and if not, determine which clinical escort and
equipment can best provide those clinical care needs; and,
o See Attachment 2 for scopes of practice for some common health care provider escorts.
o Consider‎also‎the‎escort’s‎training‎and‎experience‎of‎providing‎care‎during‎inter-facility transfers.
o Ensure the escort can competently intervene and use any equipment the hospital will provide.
• The care team must be aware of the skills and services of their local stretcher transport provider, the equipment provided by them in the
vehicles and any relevant hospital and stretcher transport policies and procedures. The tables below are intentionally left blank to allow
hospitals to identify the pertinent information for their staff.
• Make appropriate arrangements for transport with the stretcher transport provider with a clinical escort and equipment.
• If the person is at LOW risk for clinical decline during transport, proceed to Q4 to determine whether the hospital should provide an escort and
equipment to meet any other care needs the person may have during the journey.

Services and skills of my local stretcher transport provider(s) and Equipment provided by them in the vehicles
• <to be customized by each hospital>
• …..
• …..
• Etc.

Relevant Hospital and local stretcher transport provider(s) policies and procedures

• <to be customized by each hospital>

• E.g. Passengers with a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) and DNR Confirmation Form
• E.g. Staff and equipment repatriation.
• …..
• Etc.

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Q4: Can the person’s care needs be met by the stretcher transport provider and receiving facility?

Situation: A medically stable person requiring transport is at LOW risk of clinical decline during transport, but still may require assistance during
transport and at the receiving facility.
Task: The care team should identify‎the‎person’s‎remaining‎care‎needs‎and‎determine‎whether‎they‎can‎be‎met‎by‎the‎stretcher transport provider
and receiving facility, or if the hospital should arrange to send an escort and equipment with the stretcher transport provider.
• Remember that:
• The team should identify the person’s‎needs‎both during transport (i.e. while travelling in the vehicle to and from the receiving facility) and at
the receiving facility.
• Family members may have the required skills and experience to accompany the person.

• Care needs MAY include (NOTE - this list is not exhaustive):

• Personal support: feeding, assistance for toileting, mobility to maneuver
• Clinical care: management of fluids (e.g. IV maintenance), medication administration and/or management (e.g. person can self
administer vs. person requires assistance), requires monitoring post procedure
• Safety need: safety and‎security‎concerns‎due‎to‎the‎person’s‎cognitive‎impairment‎and/or‎mental‎health‎issues. Person may be
medically stable with:
• Currently violent or showing signs of increased agitation2
• Recent history of violent/aggressive behaviour2,9
• Recent need for security intervention2
• Requires restraint (chemical or physical)2

• Determine whether the stretcher transport provider can provide all needed care during transport (i.e. that the stretcher transport provider
attendants are qualified to provide all needed care and have all required skills and equipment)
• Determine whether the receiving facility can provide all needed care while the person is at the receiving facility (e.g. that it will provide PSW
support).
• For passengers with mental health issues, take into consideration potential gender conflict issues between the passenger and the stretcher
transport provider attendants
• Note – A person under Form 1 of the Mental Health Act requires an appropriately trained health care provider escort with or without a security
escort.

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Q4: Can the person’s care needs be met by the stretcher transport provider and receiving facility?
(continued)
Action:
• If the care team determines that the person requires an escort and equipment:
1. Choose‎the‎escort‎and‎equipment‎required‎to‎the‎person’s‎care‎needs‎during‎transport‎and‎at‎the‎receiving‎facility
o See Attachment 2 for scopes of practice for some common health care provider escorts.
o Consider‎also‎the‎escort’s‎training‎and‎experience‎of‎providing‎care‎during‎inter-facility transfers.
o Ensure the escort can competently intervene and use any equipment the hospital will provide.
2. Arrange transport with stretcher transport provider.

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Attachment 1 – Q2: Examples of Life or Limb Conditions
Examples of Life or Limb Conditions

The Life or Limb Policy Diagnoses ENDOCRINOLOGY HEMATOLOGY OBSTETRICS/GYNAECOLOGY

List8 is not a comprehensive list of all
medical conditions that are considered life • Adrenal Crisis • Acute Leukemia • Acute Vaginal Bleeding with Shock
or limb threatening • Diabetic Ketoacidosis • Disseminated Intravascular • Anticipated Severe Shoulder Dystocia
CARDIOLOGY/CARDIAC Coagulation with Thrombosis or
• Hyperglycemic Coma Bleeding • Amniotic Fluid Embolism
SURGERY/VASCULAR SURGERY
• Hypoglycemic Coma • Graft vs. Host Disease • Early Pregnancy, Severe Vaginal
• Abdominal Aortic Dissection/Rupture Bleeding and Hemorrhage
• Myxedema Coma • Severe Hemophilia with Associated
• Acute Limb Ischemia • Early Pregnancy, Suspect Ectopic
• Pituitary Apoplexy Bleeding
• Ascending Aortic Dissection/Rupture with Shock, Intra-Abdominal
GASTROENTEROLOGY • Urgent Leukapharesis Hemorrhage
• Cardiogenic Shock or Acute Valvular
Problems, Mechanical Complications • Esophageal Perforation • Urgent Red Cell Exchange (Sickle • Fetal Distress
of Myocardial Infarction and Intra- Cell Crisis, Malaria)
• Fulminant Hepatic Failure • Intraperitoneal Hemorrhage
Aortic Balloon Pump NEPHROLOGY
• Gastrointestinal Bleed with Refractory • Maternal Cardiac Arrythmias in
• Cardiology for Pacemakers • Acute Emergency Dialysis Labour
Shock
(Temporary and Permanent)
• Toxic Mega Colon with Shock • Urgent Plasma Exchange (Thrombotic • Multiple Gestation Requiring
• Endocarditis Requiring Urgent Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Emergency Obstetric/Paediatric
Cardiac Intervention GENERAL SURGERY Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome) Management
• Pericardial Tamponade with • Gastrointestinal Bleed with Refractory NEUROSURGERY/NEUROLOGY • Obstructed Labour
Cardiovascular Compromise Shock
• Acute Spinal Cord Compression • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with
• Post Heart Transplantation with • Ischemic Bowel Shock and/or Disseminated
Suspected Rejection • Acute Stroke Requiring Thrombolysis Intravascular Coagulation
• Multiorgan Failure with Refractory
• Refractory Cardiac Arrythmias Shock • Cervical Spine Fracture • Post-Operative Intra-Abdominal
(Including Repetitive Firing of Hemorrhage and Shock
• Severe Pancreatitis with or without • Guillain Barre / Myasthenic Crisis
Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator) or
Symptomatic Heart Block Shock • Head Trauma Requiring • Pre-Term Labour
• Perforated Viscus/Septic Shock Neurosurgical Intervention or •
• Thoracic Aortic Dissection/Rupture Pre-Term Premature Rupture of
Monitoring Membranes
• Unstable Acute Coronary Syndrome • Toxic Colitis with Shock
• Intracerebral Hemorrhage • Severe Gestational, Postpartum or
Requiring Urgent Angiography and/or • Wound Dehiscence/Evisceration Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Antepartum Hypertension
Intervention (Primary/Rescue
Percutaneous Coronary Imaging or • Meningitis with Altered Level of • Ovarian Torsion
Surgery) Consciousness
• Uterine Rupture
• Unstable Complex Congenital Heart • Status Epilepticus
Disease • Umbilical Cord Prolapse
• Stroke – non Tissue Plasminogen
• Vascular Trauma (e.g., Mangled Activator Posterior Fossa/Brainstem
Extremity, Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury)

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Attachment 1 – Q2: Examples of Life or Limb Conditions (continued)
Examples of Life or Limb Conditions (continued)

Life or Limb Policy Diagnoses List8 PLASTICS THORACIC SURGERY

OPHTHALMOLOGY • Amputation of Extremity for Re-Implantation / • Intrathoracic Airway Obstruction
Revascularization
• Acute Orbital Hypertension/Glaucoma • Issues Related to Lung Transplant
• Compound Fractures of the Hand
• Endopthalmitis • Massive Hemoptysis
• Major Burns
• Severe Orbital Cellulitis • Massive Hemothorax
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
• Ruptured Globe • Ruptured Bronchus or Trachea
RESPIROLOGY
• Vision Threatening Conditions – Orbital Abscess, • Ruptured Esophagus
Orbital Hematoma, Optic Nerve Compression • Unstable Pulmonary Embolism Causing Shock and/or
Respiratory Failure • Strangulated Diaphragmatic Hernia
ORTHOPEDICS
• Right Heart Failure with Shock UROLOGY
• Compartment Syndrome
• Respiratory Failure with Need of Invasive or Non- • Acute Priapism
• Compound, Major Pelvic/Acetabular or Multiple Invasive Mechanical Ventilation
Large Bone Fractures • Necrotizing‎Scrotal‎Infection/Fornier’s‎Gangrene
• Severe Cystic Fibrosis • Obstructive Uropathy
• Femoral Neck in Patients Younger than 65 Years of
Age SPINE • Renal Infection with Vascular Impairment
• Fractures/Dislocation with Vascular Injury • Acute Deteriorating Cauda Equine Syndrome • Renal Trauma with Hemodynamic Instability
• Irreduceable Major Joint Dislocation (Non-Prosthetic • Acute Deteriorating Spinal Cord Function • Testicular Torsion
Joint)
• Spinal Cord Injury
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
• Unstable Spinal Injury
• Acute Airway Obstruction
• Epiglottitis
• Esophageal Foreign Bodies
• Major Bleeding: Neck Hematoma, Massive
Hemoptysis/Hematesis
• Mastoditis or Sinusitis with Central Nervous System
Complications
• Necrotizing Infections
• Severe Neck Trauma/ Laryngeal Fracture

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Attachment 2 – Escort Scope of Practice Overview

Registered Nurse Registered Practical Nurse

• Regulated health profession • Regulated health profession

From critical care areas: e.g. ICU, Cardiac Care Standard practice:
• Ability to manage unpredictable patients – have appropriate • Provide care to patients that they would usually be assigned
training e.g. ACLS and the associated treatments as ordered by the MRP
• Cardiac monitoring, various infusions and fluid balance • The Three-Factor Framework (Client , Nurse, and
monitoring Environment) should be used to make a decision about which
• Airway assessment and support nursing category (RN or RPN) to match with the patient needs
• Utilize medical directives while on transfer (such as (College of Nurses Ontario)
defibrillation and transcutaneous pacing) − RPN are needed in more stable environments for less
complex, more predictable patients with a low risk for
From non-critical care areas: negative outcomes
• Provide care to patients that they would usually be assigned
and the associated treatments as ordered by the MRPs

Respiratory Therapist Stretcher Transportation Service Attendant

• Regulated health profession • Non-regulated

Standard practice: • Minimum level of skills may vary among providers

• Provide oxygen therapy, cardio-respiratory equipment
monitoring, assessment and treatment of cardio-respiratory May have training in:
and associated disorders to maintain or restore ventilation • Standard first aid
• Suction beyond the point in the nasal passages where they • Emergency first responder
normally narrow or beyond the larynx • Basic life support
• Administer a prescribed substance by inhalation • Oxygen administration
• Mobility assistance – transfers, ambulation, positioning
With a medical directive/order: • Activities of daily living
• Perform a prescribed procedure below the dermis
• Intubation beyond the point in the nasal passages where they
normally narrow or beyond the larynx
• Administer a substance by injection or inhalation

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Attachment 2 – Escort Scope of Practice Overview (continued)

Health Care Aid / Personal Support Worker Lay Person – e.g. Family, Taxi Driver, Volunteer

• Non-regulated • Non-regulated

May have training in: May be able to provide:

• Standard first aid • Mobility assistance – transfers, ambulation, positioning
• Basic life support • Activities of daily living
• Mobility assistance – transfers, ambulation, positioning
• Activities of daily living May have training in:
• Basic hygiene • Standard first aid
• Basic life support

Security Guard

• Regulated
• Must have a valid Ontario security guard licence

At minimum, will have undergone basic training in being a security

guard (40 hours)
• Basic security procedures
• Emergency level first aid
• Sensitivity training
• Health and safety

Hospital security guards may have training in:

• Dealing with elderly
• Dealing with disturbed, disruptive or potentially aggressive
persons

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Attachment 3 – References

1. Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Decision Guide for Ambulance and Non-Ambulance Patient Transport (NAPT) Service – Adult Patient,
2011
2. St.‎Joseph’s‎Health‎Centre‎Decision‎Guide‎for‎Ambulance‎and‎Non-Ambulance Medical Transfer Service, 2006
3. Champlain LHIN Non-urgent Patient Transportation Project (adopted from London Health Sciences Centre)
4. London Health Sciences Centre, Patient Transport (PT) Decision Guide – V. 3.3Hospital initiated patient transfers , May 9, 2013
5. Sudbury-Manitoulin Pilot, Patient Transport Decision Matrix
6. Stable for Transport Guidelines, Criteria Manual Chapter 5.4, California Department of Health Care Services, Government of California
7. Guide for Interfacility Patient Transfer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
8. Life or Limb Policy – Implementation Guide, Critical Care Services Ontario
9. Leamington Hospital, Appendix D, in-patient transport protocol
10. Nottingham University Trust, NHS, Patient Transport Policy and Procedures, 2010
11. MOHLTC Stakeholder discussions, 2014

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