Vietnam: Anesthesiologists - intensivists must seek the opinion of the department head before transferring patients

Anesthesiologists - intensivists must seek the opinion of the department head before transferring patients (Illustration)

According to Article 17 of Circular 13/2012/TT-BYT which prescribes the coordination of transferring and emergency treatment outside the hospital, the details are as follows:

- When there is a request for support in anesthesia - intensive care from other levels, the department head is responsible for appointing qualified staff from the department to participate.

- Severely ill patients must be accompanied, monitored, and treated appropriately during transport.

- When a severely ill surgical patient needs to be referred, the anesthesiologist - intensivist responsible for the patient is tasked with:

+ Consulting with the head of the Department of Anesthesia - Intensive Care about referring the patient to another level (if necessary);

+ Informing the patient's legal representative of the risks and benefits of the referral and obtaining their written consent (the patient's legal representative must sign an agreement in the medical record);

+ Notifying the receiving facility to prepare for the patient's arrival;

+ Checking the patient's condition before the transfer, preparing monitoring and emergency equipment ready for transport. Do not refer patients who are in a moribund state or at high risk of dying during transport;

+ Assigning and completing necessary procedures, recording all details in the patient transfer documentation.

- The receiving anesthesiologist - intensivist has the following responsibilities:

+ Preparing medications, medical equipment, facilities, and staff to immediately implement appropriate emergency measures;

+ Consulting with the head of the Department of Anesthesia - Intensive Care about handling and emergency measures for the patient (if necessary);

+ Assigning staff to guide the escort and the patient's legal representative in carrying out necessary hospital admission procedures;

+ Providing written notification to the hospital that referred the patient about the treatment outcomes and any issues that need further review.

Full details can be found in Circular 13/2012/TT-BYT, effective from 10/10/2012.

Le Vy

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