Purpose of Review
This review aims to summarize the special considerations and gaps in the literature to inform evidence- based practices for the transport of neurologically critically ill patients.
Recent Findings
Neurologically critically ill patients may need to undergo interhospital transfers (IHT) for a variety of reasons, including access to monitoring, definitive management, higher levels of care, as part of a systems of care approach, family request, or continuity of care. With increasing regionalization of care for stroke, trauma, and cardiac arrest, more patients will require IHT for their care. In addition to the clinical parameters that need to be monitored while transporting any critically ill patient (e.g. airway, hemodynamic data, infusions, blood product transfusions, etc.), special considerations in neurologically critically ill patients during IHT include the management of intracranial hypertension, cerebral edema, seizures, spine stability, and offloading of cranial defects and wounds.
Summary
Neurologically critically ill patients have numerous details that need to be addressed during transport that make them a unique population. Careful monitoring and aggressive treatment of hemodynamics, airway, mechanical ventilation, intracranial hypertension, seizures, and prevention of secondary neurological injuries while undergoing IHT is critical to ensuring a good outcome for patients.
