What is an interfacility transfer and how is it dispatched?

• A. Transfer of a patient between medical facilities; dispatched when higher-level care or specialty services are required
• B. Transfer of medical records only
• C. Transport of equipment between departments
• D. Local ambulance transport within the same facility

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is moving a patient between medical facilities to access higher-level or specialty care, with dispatch coordinating that transport. An interfacility transfer is triggered when the sending facility recognizes the patient needs services not available on site and a transfer to another facility is required, with the transport arranged to ensure the patient reaches the appropriate care setting. Dispatch plays a key role by activating the transport resources (ground or air), notifying the receiving facility, coordinating bed and specialty service availability, and ensuring proper handoff and medical oversight during the move. This focus on moving the patient between facilities for higher-level care differentiates it from other activities: transferring only records is information exchange, transporting equipment between departments stays within the same facility, and local transport within the same facility is intrafacility movement.