Transporting patients

RE: Transporting patients

katie shorer — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:48:13 GMT

I am currently in charity practice so we transfer any inpatients over to our main hospital for overnight care. We have vehicles which are used, or if no driver is available then we ask the client to take the pet if it is stable.

If we are at all worried about the animal a vet will usually take it in a taxi.

I also did this is my previous job which was private practice, we kept stable patients overnight but as we didn't have someone working full time at night the more intensive cases went up to an OOH provider.

Have never had any issues so far *touch wood* but it is a bit scary at first when you're used to doing your own OOH!

RE: Transporting patients

Sal the 1st — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 23:42:43 GMT

Just thinking about this - I did work as a locum at one place where the owners did the transfer. So the owner picked their dog cat or other up from the practice and took it to the OOH provider - and brought it back the next morning. Patients that were too sick to move stayed in the original practice under the care of a vet or a nurse whichever was deemed more appropriate.

RE: Transporting patients

2005nurse — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 23:04:56 GMT

Thank you.

I agree with you, you are lucky. I think we share the same perspective of ooh/on call.

RE: Transporting patients

Sal the 1st — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 10:23:04 GMT

maybe VDS could clarify? - I am lucky 1) I dont drive 2) we are an independent doing our own ooh

RE: Transporting patients

2005nurse — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 09:49:53 GMT

Hi Sal,

It is a practice vehicle. Sketchy answers given about insurance, and told it will be looked into.

There are still discussions over the way this will work, but it has been suggested the Vet decides if the patient is fit to travel. I'm not sure how long before travel that assessment will be made, and at what point, as a nurse, I can say otherwise. (I don't think I can!)

I know it's not very likely, but I guess I'm worried about the potential of "veterinary nurse kills much loved valuable pedigree labradoodle with careless driving" facebook post. (I'm not a careless driver, but you know how perceptions can turn when there's an upset client.

Thanks xx

RE: Transporting patients

Sal the 1st — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 09:20:36 GMT

is it a practice vehicle? what is the insurance on the vehicle? who makes the decision that the animal is fit for travel (because to me it would be that person who is accountable)