No one can deny that the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented strain on the health care system. In its wake came the current “triple-demic” of COVID, flu and RSV, coupled with a severe nursing shortage. Added to these strains, hospitals face a decrease in licensed beds, shrinking margins and supply chain issues.

Meanwhile, patient transfer processes can disrupt your emergency department’s (ED) efficiency. Your ED doctors and nurses work tirelessly to help patients but are often distracted by managing transfers. A lack of available beds, delayed acceptance from neighboring facilities and limited transportation options often leave patients waiting hours for care.

Managing patient transfers is complex, challenging and potentially inefficient. It can be time-consuming and difficult to measure the effectiveness of your transfer processes. If you can’t see potential problems, you can’t make improvements. Learn why you should choose a centralized patient transfer system today.

Events such as a pandemic, weather-related disaster or other mass health crisis can quickly overwhelm rural hospitals. The American Hospital Association reports that 46% of these facilities have 25 or fewer staffed beds. At any time, they may be at capacity or unable to offer the specialty care and trauma services a patient requires.