STAT team

A couple of changes have been made with regards to utilization of the STAT team. The option for a phone consultation with a STAT team member instead of a bedside assessment is no longer available. The STAT team activation will remain a team approach and response.

For emergent and urgent transfers to the ICU, activation of the STAT team is highly encouraged. This is not to second-guess the abilities of the nurse or physician involved with the patient, it is to promote the smoothest hand-off possible between care providers. During these emergent transfers, hand-off communication is often poor, the receiving unit is not prepared, and patient transportation is not as safe as possible. With STAT team involvement, the following can occur: a face-to-face hand-off, assessment of any tests needed during transport (to cut down on "road trips" after ICU arrival), a nurse-escorted transfer, monitoring during transport, additional support if the situation turns into a Code Blue, and time for the receiving nurse to set up for the patient.

When transferring a patient to the ICU, don't forget to fill out a hand-off form. Of course this may be the last thing on your mind when trying to stabilize your patient, but it may be competed after the transfer. This form allows a back-up just in case any information is lost in the transfer.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Holly P. (director of ICU/ED), or Tracy N. (manager of ICU).