[The quality of ambulance transportation between regional hospitals and a central hospital].

We studied the quality of ambulance transport of critically ill and wounded patients between rural hospitals and a referral centre (so-called secondary transport). The study group comprised all patients transported in the course of one year from a rural hospital in the southwestern part of the Netherlands to a centre hospital in Rotterdam (n = 59). Their records were reviewed retrospectively. A distinction was made between patients whose vital functions were acutely threatened before transport and patients in whom this was not the case. Results show that 24% of all patients were transferred inadequately. The inadequately transferred patients all belonged to the group in whom vital functions were acutely threatened. Frequently occurring shortcomings concerned oxygenation and intravenous lines. It is concluded that medical assistance by a specialist is indicated with all secondary transports, because it is difficult to predict if vital functions will be threatened during transport. Further research may be directed at the question which mode of transportation (ambulance or helicopter) is suited for long-distance interhospital transport.