Repatriation Policy
Throughout the COVID-19 health pandemic, UMMS has facilitated an unprecedented number of patient transfers within the System to ensure that no one hospital becomes overwhelmed with the increase in patients seeking care. This has demonstrated the immense strength of our System to collaboratively leverage the capabilities of our individual hospitals and operate as One UMMS.
UMMS has developed a Repatriation Policy to guide the process of transferring patients back to their originating facilities in a manner that is safe and efficient.
As decisions regarding repatriation are deemed appropriate by clinical providers, the UMMS Access Center and Express Care will coordinate patient transfers between UMMS facilities. All hospitals should designate a single primary point of contact for collaboration with the Access Center as repatriation processes are facilitated.
Click here to view the Repatriation Policy.
FAQs
What is repatriation?
Sometimes patients require an elevated level of clinical care that is not available at the hospital they were originally admitted to. In these cases, patients may be transferred to a different UMMS facility, that is equipped to meet their medical needs. Repatriation defines the process of returning the patient to the hospital they were first treated in.
When is the time right for a patient to be repatriated back to their originating UMMS facility?
Repatriation is appropriate once a patient’s elevated tertiary/quaternary medical needs have been met, and their condition is deemed stabilized by a clinical provider.
Why is it important to repatriate patients?
Transitioning patients back to their originating facility allows us to increase access to advanced tertiary/quaternary care at the UMMC Downtown Campus, for other patients in need of elevated care. It boosts our medical and surgical service capabilities as we gradually resume operations in various clinical areas of our hospitals.
How is the repatriation process facilitated?
Requests for patient transfers between UMMS hospitals are centralized and managed by the UMMS Access Center. The Access Center will coordinate repatriation processes, serving as a liaison between originated and accepting facilities, as well as clinical providers. Care management teams will also be involved as candidates for repatriation are identified, prioritized and transferred.
How are patients transported?
Transportation arrangements are made with consideration of the level of care that must be sustained throughout the process. Ambulance and private transport services will be arranged as needed.
Is patient/surrogate consent required as part of this process?
Yes. Consent is required from the patient or his/her surrogate decision maker.