Abstract

Although there are some rules and laws related to the subject of transfer of patients from one hospital to another in Turkey, no guidelines are available concerning to this subject. The present rules are nor realistic neither upgraded. The physician is responsible for the overall medical care of the patient. This includes the medical evaluation, diagnosis, recommended treatment actions as well as the decision of transportation. Emergency care begins in the pre hospital setting, continues in the emergency department and concludes when the patient is transferred to another department or another hospital. To promote optimal care of emergency patients transportation decision and action must be accomplished in an effective, orderly and predictable manner. This review describes the basic principles and relationships that should exist in a guideline of transferring of emergency patients for proper continuity of care.