Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)
TRANSFER OF A PATIENT
The process of moving a patient from one unit/ward to another within the same facility or from one facility to another to improve upon the existing management of the patient. This is usually carried out by the order of the Psychiatrist/Medical Officer.
Purpose
- Continue nursing care
- Ease congestion on the unit/ward
- Promote recovery
Equipment
- Wheelchair or Stretcher if necessary
- Patient’s medication(s)
- Patient’s personal belongings
- Patient’s folder (Electronic/Manual)
- Referral form
- Accompanying nurse(s)
- Ambulance (where necessary)
Procedure steps
- Inform patient and relative(s) about the transfer and give reasons
- Allay patient’s fears and anxiety
- Ensure that the prescriber has signed transfer document
- Inform the unit/ward or the facility patient is being transferred to (name, condition, medications, test, time etc.)
- Ensure that all documents are completely signed
- Assist patient to pack belongings and ensure no ward property or other patient’s item(s) is/are taken
- Record transfer in necessary documents (file movement, nurses’ notes)
- Accompany patient to the unit/ward or facility and introduce him/her to the receiving nurse
- Hand over patient’s folder/referral form, medication(s) and belongings to receiving nurse
- Check patient’s items with receiving nurse
- Ask the receiving nurse for any further questions regarding the patient’s transfer
- Express appreciation to patient and receiving nurse and bid them farewell
- Ensure that bed linen, mattress and bedstead are disinfected
- Perform hand hygiene
- Inform other departments within the hospital of the patient’s change in location
- Document in the admission and discharge book, Daily ward State and nurses’ notes
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
Open Component Task app