Name of the Procedure:

Hospital Transfer or Admission Upon Discharge from Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)
Technical Term: Hospital Transfer/Admission from ASC (G8914)

Summary

This procedure involves transferring a patient from an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) to a hospital for further medical care immediately upon discharge from the ASC.

Purpose

The procedure ensures that patients who require advanced or continued medical care after a surgery or treatment at an ASC receive the necessary inpatient support and monitoring.

Indications

• Complications during or after an outpatient surgery or procedure at an ASC
• Unstable vital signs or acute medical issues that cannot be managed at the ASC
• Requirement for specialized inpatient care or advanced diagnostics

Preparation

• Informing the patient and their family about the need for hospital transfer
• Arranging for a medical transport, if needed
• Transferring essential medical records and information to the receiving hospital
• No specific patient preparation is generally needed apart from stabilization

Procedure Description

1. Decision to transfer a patient is made based on clinical assessment.
2. The patient is stabilized and prepared for transport.
3. Medical transport (ambulance) is called if required.
4. Essential documents, medical records, and initial treatments are sent to the receiving hospital.
5. The patient is transported to the hospital and admitted into the appropriate department for continued care.

Duration

The transfer process typically takes a few hours, including stabilization, transportation, and admission.

Setting

• Initial setting: Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)
• Final setting: Hospital

Personnel

• ASC healthcare professionals: surgeons, nurses
• Transport team: paramedics or emergency medical technicians (if applicable)
• Hospital personnel: admitting physicians, nurses, healthcare team at the receiving facility

Risks and Complications

• Risk associated with the underlying medical condition necessitating the transfer
• Possible delay in critical care during transport
• Rare risk of adverse events during transportation

Benefits

• Access to comprehensive inpatient care
• Continued monitoring and treatment of medical conditions
• Increased safety for patients requiring advanced medical intervention

Recovery

• Depends on the underlying reason for the transfer
• Inpatient care will include continuous monitoring, treatment adjustments, and recovery support
• Follow-up appointments and discharge instructions will be provided upon stabilization and recovery

Alternatives

• Managing the patient at the ASC if feasible
• Transferring to a different healthcare facility if closer or more equipped to handle specific needs

Patient Experience

• May experience anxiety or fear due to the unexpected transfer
• Likely to feel pain or discomfort related to the medical condition leading to the transfer
• Pain management and comfort measures will be prioritized during transport and upon arrival at the hospital