Interhospital Transfer Center Model: Components, Themes, and Design Elements

Objective Timely access to advanced and specialist treatment often requires rapid interhospital transfer of patients from community hospitals to tertiary care centers. Transfer systems are variable in structure and process and are described in the literature as being fragmented, complex, and difficult to navigate. Methods Nonparticipant observation at 10 tertiary care transfer systems. Results Identified core components (ie, primary transfer system answering point, bed management coordination, and transport team dispatch) are essential elements of an interhospital tertiary care transfer center. Conclusion The Interhospital Transfer Center Model provides a useful framework to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of interhospital transfer systems.