Patient Transport

Principles for transporting all COVID+/PUI Patients:

  • COVID+/PUI patients require Airborne + Droplet + Contact precautions during transport

  • High-vigilance is needed to avoid and contain aerosol-generation

  • High-vigilance needed to minimize environmental contamination

  • Do not transport patients unless absolutely necessary

  • Designate a “clean” person to interact with environment, opening doors, clearing hallways, hailing elevators



1) Patients Requiring Oxygen

Problem Statements:

  • Oxygen is often required in COVID+/PUI patients

  • COVID+/PUI patients on oxygen may require intra-hospital transport

  • High-flow oxygen delivery systems risk aerosol-generation of SARS-CoV2

  • Transporting COVID+/PUI patients on oxygen risks disease spread to providers and environmental contamination

2) Patients Requiring NIPPV

Problem Statements:

  • NIPPV requires a face mask that is rarely tight-fitting

  • The risk of aerosol-generation of SARS-CoV2 with NIPPV is suspected

  • COVID+/PUI patients on NIPPV may require intra-hospital transport

  • Transporting COVID+/PUI patients on NIPPV risks disease spread to providers and environmental contamination

  • NIPPV is DISCOURAGED in all COVID+/PUI patients unless alternate support systems are deemed less appropriate

  • NIPPV use can be considered in Low-Risk PUI patients


3) Patients requiring Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation

Problem Statements:

  • Transporting intubated patients requires a coordinated team effort with several stakeholders including nursing, transporters, respiratory therapists, and physicians

  • Accidental circuit disconnects and accidental extubation are real risks during transport events

  • Transporting COVID+/PUI intubated patients on MV risks disease spread to providers and environmental contamination

  • High-vigilance needed to avoid and contain aerosol-generation

  • Transporting intubated patients includes SARS-CoV2 contaminated equipment that must be managed safely

  • If aerosol containing SARS-CoV2 is generated (circuit disconnect, intubation, extubation, suctioning, other) entry into the exposed room and door openings must be limited for a prescribed amount of time according to industry standard guidelines allowing for removal of air contaminants


Principles of Transport for Intubated Patients:

  • Use bedside ventilator to minimize circuit disconnects

  • Ensure adequate sedation (+/-paralysis as needed) to prevent accidental extubation

  • Do not move patient to a new bed unless absolutely necessary

  • Designate a “clean” person to interact with environment, opening doors, clearing hallways, hailing elevators


Solutions for Transport of Intubated and Mechanically Ventilated:


Updated 12/16/2020

Contact: Dr. Ana Crawford & Jacqueline Hayes Albarran, RRT