Transition to Inpatient PFCC
The principles of PFCC should be practiced throughout the transport process: from on-scene treatment, through transport, to the transition of care to in-hospital health care providers.
Because of this continuum, all members of the health care team—including emergency medical services prehospital personnel—should be involved in the development of strategies to support the practice of PFCC.An essential element in the transport process is the “point person.” This person, who can be any of the team members, will be the main communication contact between the family and the clinical staff. The point person provides information to the family about the anticipated clinical management of their child during the transport, and about any anticipated or potential complications. The mode of transport and relevant equipment and procedures should be explained. In addition, the point person assists in arranging ongoing family access to the patient.
When or if the family is not able, or does not want, to travel with the child, they should receive detailed information about their child's destination. This should include the name and telephone number of the hospital and the name of the receiving physician and clinical service. Driving directions and parking information for the receiving hospital should also be provided.
On arrival at the receiving facility, the child and family should be introduced to the new health care team. The transport team should assist with this clinical transfer; involving the family in this transfer is also a desirable practice, as the family's information can enhance the quality of the handover. At this time, a new point person should be identified who will now be responsible for providing ongoing information within the hospital setting. If the ideals of PFCC have been established from the onset of the transport, this transition to inpatient PFCC will be seamless and provide the optimal patient family experience.
References
1. Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care. Available at: http://www.ipfcc.org/faq.html. Accessed May 8, 2013
2. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Hospital Care. Family-centered care and the pediatrician's role. Pediatrics. 2003;112(3):691-696
3. Woodward GA, Fleegler EW. Should parents accompany pediatric interfacility ground ambulance transports? The parents' perspective. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2000;16(6):383-390
4. Woodward GA, Fleegler EW. Should parents accompany pediatric interfacility ground ambulance transports? Results of a national survey of pediatric transport team managers. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2001;17(1):22-27
5. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association. Joint policy statement—guidelines for care of children in the emergency department. Pediatrics. 2009;124(4):1233-1243
Selected Readings
Association of Air Medical Services. Family Member Passengers in Inter-Facility Transport: Final Position Paper. May 3, 2010. Alexandria, VA: Association of Air Medical Services; 2010 Boudreaux EO, Francis JL, Loyacano T. Family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitations in the emergency department: a critical review and suggestions for future research. Ann Emerg Med. 2002;40(2):193-205
Edgington BH. Transporting the family and other concerned parties aboard air medical aircraft. J Air Med Transp. 1992;11(2):11-13
Jaimovich DG, Vidyasagar D. Handbook of Pediatric and Neonatal Transport Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley and Belfus; 2002
Lewis MM, Holditch-Davis D, Brunssen S. Parents as passengers during pediatric transport.
Air Med J. 1997;16(2):38-43
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Family-centered prehospital care: partnering with families to improve care. Fact Sheet. 2002. Available at: http://www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF/EMSC/PubRes/Family-Centered_Prehospital_ Care_-_Partnering_with_Families_to_Improve_Care.pdf. Accessed May 8, 2013
Tucker TL. Family presence during resuscitation. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2002;14(2):177-185
Woodward GA, Garrett AL, King BR, Baker MF. Emergency medical services and transport medicine. In: Fleisher GR, Ludwig S, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010:85-124