Watch and Learn

Explore our library of valuable training videos, covering all aspects of provision of Critical Care and Transfer

Why worry about critical care transfers?

Transferring critically ill patients is common and the transfer process itself carries risk. This video highlights why we should worry about moving these patients.

Principles of critical care transfer

Once the decision to transfer a critically ill patient has been made, what are the four key principles that should be applied before moving the patient?

Physiological effects of transfer

Movement can lead to significant alteration in the critically ill patient’s condition. This video looks at the physiological effects and how you can plan for and mitigate these effects prior to and during the transfer.

Principles of pre-transfer stabilisation

How do you decide whether to “stay and play” or “scoop and run” with the patient in front of you? This video outlines the risks / benefits to consider and the key principles of stabilising critically ill patients prior to transfer.

Medico-legal principles of transfer

This video covers the most common questions asked by trainees about the legal aspects of transfers. Who is responsible and what standards should be applied?

Crisis Resource Management

Do you understand crisis resource management (CRM) and its application to critical care patient transfers? This video outlines CRM skills and provides a CRM strategy to facilitate smooth, swift and safe transfers for these patients.

Transfer of aortic emergencies

Remember, blood in the wrong place hurts. Patients with aortic emergencies are extremely unstable and time is of the essence. In this video, learn more about the preparation and management of these challenging critical transfers.

Transfer of neurosurgical emergencies

Time is Brain. This video explains the process of determining the injury, referral to the neurosurgical centre and the clinical management for neurosurgical emergency patients before and during transfer.

Major trauma pathway

Do you know your Major trauma pathway? Dr Jonathan Handy and Dr Fionna Moore discuss the roles of the Major Trauma Centres and the Trauma Units in London and describe the designated and commissioned Major Trauma pathway in London.

Know your transfer equipment

How well do you know your equipment? Critical care equipment is complex and challenging to use. This video addresses some common equipment problems encountered by clinical staff.

Transfer – an ambulance perspective

Getting the right ambulance. This video explains the “Hospital Transfer 1” (previously “critical”) and “Hospital Transfer 2” (previously “immediate”) transfer categories, equipment requests (e.g. balloon pumps) and describes how the ambulance crew can support you and your patient.

Transfer documentation

Documenting transfers is essential for patient safety. This video describes the audit and governance in place using Network transfer documentation and how you can help influence provision of equipment, training for staff and bed capacity in North west London.

The Patient Transfer bag

Familiarity with environment, processes and equipment reduces the risk inherently associated with critical care transfers. Therefore, the North West London Critical Care Network decided to create a standardised ideal transfer bag and contents to improve patient safety.

The Patient Transfer Bag is now in use in all Emergency Departments, Critical Care and High Dependency units in every Hospital in North West London.

This film demonstrates the key features of the Patient Transfer Bag and how to use it when transferring critically ill patients.

Critical Care Transfer Film

Transferring critically ill patients is not without its risks, and whether transferring them 100 yards or 100 miles the same principles should be applied. This film demonstrates the challenges posed when transferring critically ill or injured patients and highlights the important clinical and logistical aspects that should be considered