[Recommendations for the management of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Intensive Care Units]. / Recomendaciones para el manejo de los pacientes críticos con COVID-19 en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the admission of a high number of patients to the ICU, generally due to severe respiratory failure. Since the appearance of the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, at the end of 2019, in China, a huge number of treatment recommendations for this entity have been published, not always supported by sufficient scientific evidence or with methodological rigor necessary. Thanks to the efforts of different groups of researchers, we currently have the results of clinical trials, and other types of studies, of higher quality. We consider it necessary to create a document that includes recommendations that collect this evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, but also aspects that other guidelines have not considered and that we consider essential in the management of critical patients with COVID-19. For this, a drafting committee has been created, made up of members of the SEMICYUC Working Groups more directly related to different specific aspects of the management of these patients.

Effects of early administration of acetazolamide on the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or obesity-hypoventilation syndrome with metabolic alkalosis. A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic alkalosis (MA) inhibits respiratory drive and may delay weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). MA is common in CO2-retainer patients that need MV. Acetazolamide (ACTZ) decreases serum bicarbonate concentration and stimulates respiratory drive. This study evaluated the effects of ACTZ on the duration of MV in patients with MA and COPD or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) intubated with acute respiratory failure. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, with COPD or OHS patients with MV < 72 h and initial bicarbonate >28 mmol/L and pH > 7.35. Test-treatment, ACTZ 500 mg or placebo, was daily administered if pH > 7.35 and bicarbonate >26 mmol/L. Clinical, respiratory and laboratory parameters were recorded. RESULTS: 47 patients (36 men) were randomized. There were no significant differences between groups in comorbidities, baseline characteristics or arterial blood gases at inclusion. The mean difference in the duration of MV between placebo and ACTZ group was 1.3 days (95%CI, -2.1-4.8; p = 0.44). Kaplan-Meier curves showed no differences in the duration of MV (Log-Rank p = 0.41). Between-group comparison of estimated marginal means (CI 95%) during MV were, respectively: PaCO2 55 (51-59) vs 48 (47-50) mm Hg, p = 0.002; bicarbonate concentration 34 (32-35) vs 29 (28-30) mmol/L, p < 0.0001; and minute volume 9.7 (8.9-10.4) vs 10.6 (9.2-12.0) L/min, p = 0.26. There were no severe adverse effects with ACTZ administration. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with MA and COPD or OHS, early treatment with ACTZ did not shorten significantly the duration of MV compared with placebo. TRIAL REGISTRY: clinical.trials.gov; NCT01499485; URL:.www.clinicaltrials.gov.

National survey on the indicators of quality in Bioethics of the SEMICYUC in the departments of Intensive Care Medicine in Spain. / Encuesta nacional sobre los indicadores de calidad en Bioética de la SEMICYUC, en los servicios de Medicina Intensiva en España.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple interventions are performed in critical patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This study explores the presence in the daily practice of ICUs of elements related to the 6 bioethics quality indicators of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units, and the participation of their members in the hospital ethics committees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter observational study was carried out, using a survey exploring descriptive aspects of the ICUs, with 25 questions related to bioethics quality indicators, and assessing the participation of ICU members in the hospital ethics committees. The ICUs were classified by size (larger or smaller than 10 beds) and type of hospital (public/private-public concerted center, with/without teaching). RESULTS: The 68 analyzed surveys revealed: daily informing of the family (97%), carried out in the information room (82%); end-of-life care protocols (44%); life support limitation form (48.43%); and physical containment protocol (40%). Compliance with the informed consent process referred to different procedures is: tracheostomy (92%), vascular procedures (76%), and extrarenal clearance (25%). The presence of ICU members in the hospital ethics committee is currently frequent (69%). CONCLUSIONS: Information supplied to relatives is adequate, although there are ICUs without an information room. Compliance with the informed consent requirements of various procedures is insufficient. The participation of ICU members in the hospital ethics committees is frequent. The results obtained suggest a chance for improvement in the bioethical quality of the ICU.

Limitation of life-sustaining treatment in patients with prolonged admission to the ICU. Current situation in Spain as seen from the EPIPUSE Study.

OBJECTIVE: Limitation of life-sustaining treatment (LLST) is a recommended practice in certain circumstances. Limitation practices are varied, and their application differs from one center to another. The present study evaluates the current situation of LLST practices in patients with prolonged admission to the ICU who suffer worsening of their condition. DESIGN: A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out. SETTING: Seventy-five Spanish ICUs. PATIENTS: A total of 589 patients suffering 777 complications or adverse events with organ function impairment after day 7 of admission, during a three-month recruitment period. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: The timing of limitation, the subject proposing LLST, the degree of agreement within the team, the influence of LLST upon the doctor-patient-family relationship, and the way in which LLST is implemented. RESULTS: LLST was proposed in 34.3% of the patients presenting prolonged admission to the ICU with severe complications. The incidence was higher in patients with moderate to severe lung disease, cancer, immunosuppressive treatment or dependence for basic activities of daily living. LLST was finally implemented in 97% of the cases in which it was proposed. The decision within the medical team was unanimous in 87.9% of the cases. The doctor-patient-family relationship usually does not change or even improves in this situation. CONCLUSION: LLST in ICUs is usually carried out under unanimous decision of the medical team, is performed more frequently in patients with severe comorbidity, and usually does not have a negative impact upon the relationship with the patients and their families.

Analysis of contributing factors associated to related patients safety incidents in Intensive Care Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore contributing factors (CF) associated to related critical patients safety incidents. DESIGN: SYREC study pos hoc analysis. SETTING: A total of 79 Intensive Care Departments were involved. PATIENTS: The study sample consisted of 1.017 patients; 591 were affected by one or more incidents. MAIN VARIABLES: The CF were categorized according to a proposed model by the National Patient Safety Agency from United Kingdom that was modified. Type, class and severity of the incidents was analyzed. RESULTS: A total 2,965 CF were reported (1,729 were associated to near miss and 1,236 to adverse events). The CF group more frequently reported were related patients factors. Individual factors were reported more frequently in near miss and task related CF in adverse events. CF were reported in all classes of incidents. The majority of CF were reported in the incidents classified such as less serious, even thought CF patients factors were associated to serious incidents. Individual factors were considered like avoidable and patients factors as unavoidable. CONCLUSIONS: The CF group more frequently reported were patient factors and was associated to more severe and unavoidable incidents. By contrast, individual factors were associated to less severe and avoidable incidents. In general, CF most frequently reported were associated to near miss.

Audits in real time for safety in critical care: definition and pilot study.

UNLABELLED: Adverse events significantly impact upon mortality rates and healthcare costs. PURPOSE: To design a checklist of safety measures based on relevant scientific literature, apply random checklist measures to critically ill patients in real time (safety audits), and determine its utility and feasibility. METHODS: A list of safety measures based on scientific literature was drawn up by investigators. Subsequently, a group of selected experts evaluated these measures using the Delphi methodology. Audits were carried out on 14 days over a period of one month. Each day, 50% of the measures were randomly selected and measured in 50% of the randomized patients. Utility was assessed by measuring the changes in clinical performance after audits, using the variable improvement proportion related to audits. Feasibility was determined by the successful completion of auditing on each of the days on which audits were attempted. RESULTS: The final verified checklist comprised 37 measures distributed into 10 blocks. The improvement proportion related to audits was reported in 83.78% of the measures. This proportion was over 25% in the following measures: assessment of the alveolar pressure limit, checking of mechanical ventilation alarms, checking of monitor alarms, correct prescription of the daily treatment orders, daily evaluation of the need for catheters, enteral nutrition monitoring, assessment of semi-recumbent position, and checking that patient clinical information is properly organized in the clinical history. Feasibility: rounds were completed on the 14 proposed days. CONCLUSIONS: Audits in real time are a useful and feasible tool for modifying clinical actions and minimizing errors.

Vascular catheter-related infections: an endemic disease in healthcare institutions. An opinion paper of the Spanish Society of Cardiovascular Infections (SEICAV).

Catheter-related infections (CRI) are a serious healthcare problem due to their potential to cause serious complications, including bacteraemia or infective endocarditis, and to increase patient morbidity and mortality. In addition, these in fections significantly prolong hospital stay and cost. Preventing CRI is crucial and is considered a criterion for quality and safety in healthcare. For these reasons, the Spanish Society of Cardiovascular Infections (SEICAV) has considered it pertinent to review this topic, with experts in different areas including clinical microbiologists, infectious disease specialists, surgeons and nurses. The data were presented at a session held at the Ramón Areces Foundation, which was organised in the form of specific questions grouped into three round tables. The first panel analysed the scale of the problem including epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic aspects; the second panel addressed advances in the treatment of CRI; and the third panel reviewed developments in the prevention of CRI. The recorded session is available on the Areces Foundation website and we believe it maybe of interest not only to health professionals, but also to any non-expert citizen interested in the subject.

COVID-19: On the threshold of the fifth year. The situation in Spain.

Despite having emerged from pandemic status, the incidence of COVID-19 episodes has recently increased in Spain, including pediatric cases and admissions to Intensive Care Units. Several recombinant variants are circulating among us, particularly XBB arising from two Omicron BA.2 sublineages with mutations in the genes encoding the spicule proteins that could increase binding to the ACE2 receptor and be more prone to immune escape. Faced with these, 3 pharmaceutical companies have developed vaccines adapted to the XBB.1.5 sublineage that are already available for administration in our setting with risks that should not be different from those of previous mRNA vaccines and with clearly favorable benefit/risk ratios. They should be applied to patients with potential for poor COVID-19 evolution and to collectives that have a particular relationship of proximity with them. Their application should be understood not only from a perspective of individual convenience but also from that of collective responsibility. The most convenient seems to be a simultaneous immunization of COVID-19 and influenza in our environment. In the therapeutic aspect, there is little to expect right now from antisera, but the already known antiviral drugs are still available and indicated, although their efficacy will have to be reevaluated due to their impact on populations that are mostly immunized and with a better prognosis than in the past. In our opinion, it is necessary to continue to make a reasonable and timely use of masks and other non-pharmacological means of protection.

Respiratory syncytial virus: A new era.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major public health problem that has undergone significant changes in recent years. First of all, it has become easier to diagnose with highly reliable and rapidly available confirmatory tests. This has led to a better understanding of its epidemiology and RSV has gone from being a disease of the pediatric age group, severe only in infants and immunosuppressed children, to being a common disease in people of all ages, particularly important in patients of advanced age or with immunosuppressive diseases. Recent therapeutic and prophylactic advances, both with long-lasting monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, are another reason for satisfaction. For these reasons, the COVID and Emerging Pathogens Committee of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has considered it pertinent to review this subject in the light of new knowledge and new resources for dealing with this infection. We have formulated a series of questions that we believe will be of interest not only to members of the College but also to any non-expert in this subject, with a particular focus on the situation of RSV infection in Spain.

Meningococcal meningitis in Spain in the Horizon 2030: A position paper.

Meningococcal meningitis (MM) and invasive meningococcal disease remain a major public health problem that generates enormous public alarm. It is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a Gram-negative diplococcus with an enormous capacity for acute and rapidly progressive disease, both episodic and epidemic in nature, with early diagnosis and treatment playing a major role. It occurs at any age, but is most common in children under 5 years of age followed by adolescents. Although most cases occur in healthy people, the incidence is higher in certain risk groups. Despite advances in reducing the incidence, it is estimated that in 2017 there were around 5 million new cases of MM worldwide, causing approximately 290,000 deaths and a cumulative loss of about 20,000,000 years of healthy life. In Spain, in the 2021/22 season, 108 microbiologically confirmed cases of MM were reported, corresponding to an incidence rate of 0.23 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This is a curable and, above all, vaccine-preventable disease, for which the World Health Organisation has drawn up a roadmap with the aim of reducing mortality and sequelae by 2030. For all these reasons, the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) and the Medical Associations of 8 other provinces of Spain, have prepared this opinion document on the situation of MM in Spain and the resources and preparation for the fight against it in our country. The COVID-19 and Emerging Pathogens Committee of ICOMEM has invited experts in the field to participate in the elaboration of this document.

Status of Herpes Zoster and Herpes Zoster Vaccines in 2023: A position paper.

Herpes zoster infection (HZ) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and frequent complications, especially post-herpetic neuropathy . The incidence of HZ increases with age and is more frequent in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that at least 60,000 people develop HZ each year in Spain. The usual forms of HZ are so clinically characteristic that they do not usually require microbiological confirmation, which is reserved for cases without cutaneous manifestations or with atypical presentation. There are currently two vaccines approved by the regulatory agencies and marketed in Spain to prevent the onset of HZ and its complications. The first (Zostavax®) was marketed by the company MSD and licensed in Europe in 2006 and is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is administered in a single dose, while the second (Shingrix®) is a recombinant vaccine, marketed in 2017 and requires two doses. While the former cannot be administered to immunocompromised persons, the latter can be prescribed to any group of adults. The criteria for the indication and financing of these vaccines have not been uniform in the various autonomous communities of Spain. These and other aspects of HZ have been discussed by a group of experts from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) whose criteria and opinions are included in this paper.

Insights for COVID-19 in 2023.

Predictions for a near end of the pandemic by the World Health Organization should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence indicates that the efficacy of a fourth dose of classical mRNA vaccines (BT162b2 or mRNA-1273) is low and short-lived in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in its predominant variant (Omicron). However, its efficacy is high against severe symptomatic infection, hospitalization and death. The new vaccines being introduced are bivalent and active against the Omicron variants. Potential new vaccines to be introduced in the coming year include a vaccine based on a recombinant protein that emulates the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein under development by the Spanish company Hipra, as well as vaccines for nasal or oral administration. Available information suggests that vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered in association with influenza vaccination without particular complications. New drugs against COVID-19, both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, are under investigation, but this does not seem to be the case with monoclonal antibodies. The indication to use masks in some circumstances will be maintained next year in view of the accumulation of scientific data on their efficacy. Finally, the long COVID or Post-COVID syndrome may continue to affect a very high proportion of patients who have had the disease, requiring combined diagnostic and therapeutic resources.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of onco-hematologic patients: a discussion paper.

We do not know the precise figure for solid organ tumors diagnosed each year in Spain and it is therefore difficult to calculate whether there has been a decrease in cancer diagnoses as a consequence of the pandemic. Some indirect data suggest that the pandemic has worsened the stage at which some non-hematological neoplasms are diagnosed. Despite the lack of robust evidence, oncology patients seem more likely to have a poor outcome when they contract COVID-19. The antibody response to infection in cancer patients will be fundamentally conditioned by the type of neoplasia present, the treatment received and the time of its administration. In patients with hematological malignancies, the incidence of infection is probably similar or lower than in the general population, due to the better protective measures adopted by the patients and their environment. The severity and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies is clearly higher than the general population. Since the immune response to vaccination in hematologic patients is generally worse than in comparable populations, alternative methods of prevention must be established in these patients, as well as actions for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Campaigns for the early diagnosis of malignant neoplasms must be urgently resumed, post-COVID manifestations should be monitored, collaboration with patient associations is indisputable and it is urgent to draw the right conclusions to improve our preparedness to fight against possible future catastrophes.

Sexually transmitted infections in Spain: Current status.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are a major public health problem. The problems inherent to their diagnosis, treatment and prevention have to do not only with their nature, but also with organizational issues and overlapping competencies of the different health authorities in Spain. The real situation of STI in Spain, at present, is poorly known. For this reason, the Scientific Committee on COVID and Emerging Pathogens of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) has formulated a series of questions on this subject which were distributed, not only among the members of the Committee, but also among experts outside it. The central health authorities provide very high and increasing figures for gonococcal infection, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis infection and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Both HIV infection and Monkeypox are two important STI caused by viruses in our environment, to which it should be added, mainly, Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Emerging microorganisms such as Mycoplasma genitalium pose not only pathogenic challenges but also therapeutic problems, as in the case of N. gonohrroeae. The pathways that patients with suspected STI follow until they are adequately diagnosed and treated are not well known in Spain. Experts understand that this problem is fundamentally managed in public health institutions, and that Primary Care and Hospital Emergency Services, together with some institutions that deal monographically with this problem, are the recipients of most of these patients. One of the most serious difficulties of STI lies in the availability of the microbiological tests necessary for their diagnosis, particularly in this era of outsourcing of microbiology services. Added to this is the increased cost of implementing the latest generation of molecular techniques and the difficulties of transporting samples. It is clear that STI are not diseases to which the entire population is equally exposed and it is necessary to have a better knowledge of the risk groups where to focus the necessary interventions adapted to their characteristics. It should not be forgotten that STI are also a problem in the pediatric age group and that their presence can be a marker of sexual abuse with all that this implies in terms of health care and medicolegal activity. Finally, STI are infections that are associated with a high cost of care for which we have very little information. The possibility of expanding the automatic performance of laboratory tests for STI surveillance through laboratory routines is encountering ethical and legal problems that are not always easy to solve. Spain has created a ministerial area of specific attention to STI and there are plans to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these problems, but we still lack the necessary evidence on their impact. We cannot forget that these are diseases that transcend the individual and constitute a Public Health problem.

Advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in Spain. How and when is it justified to maintain it?

We address the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining the mandatory use of masks in health centers and nursing homes in the current epidemiological situation in Spain and after the declaration of the World Health Organization on May 5, 2023 of the end of COVID-19 as public health emergency. We advocate for prudence and flexibility, respecting the individual decision to wear a mask and emphasizing the need for its use when symptoms suggestive of a respiratory infection appear, in situations of special vulnerability (such as immunosuppression), or when caring for patients with those infections. At present, given the observed low risk of severe COVID-19 and the low transmission of other respiratory infections, we believe that it is disproportionate to maintain the mandatory use of masks in a general way in health centers and nursing homes. However, this could change depending on the results of epidemiological surveillance and it would be necessary to reconsider returning to the obligation in periods with a high incidence of respiratory infections.

Tuberculosis in Spain: An opinion paper.

This document is the result of the deliberations of the Committee on Emerging Pathogens and COVID-19 of the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) regarding the current situation of tuberculosis, particularly in Spain. We have reviewed aspects such as the evolution of its incidence, the populations currently most exposed and the health care circuits for the care of these patients in Spain. We have also discussed latent tuberculosis, the reality of extrapulmonary disease in the XXI century and the means available in daily practice for the diagnosis of both latent and active forms. The contribution of molecular biology, which has changed the perspective of this disease, was another topic of discussion. The paper tries to put into perspective both the classical drugs and their resistance figures and the availability and indications of the new ones. In addition, the reality of direct observation in the administration of antituberculosis drugs has been discussed. All this revolution is making it possible to shorten the treatment time for tuberculosis, a subject that has also been reviewed. If everything is done well, the risk of relapse of tuberculosis is small but it exists. On the other hand, many special situations have been discussed in this paper, such as tuberculosis in pediatric age and tuberculosis as a cause for concern in surgery and intensive care. The status of the BCG vaccine and its present indications as well as the future of new vaccines to achieve the old dream of eradicating this disease have been discussed. Finally, the ethical and medicolegal implications of this disease are not a minor issue and our situation in this regard has been reviewed.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey and evaluation of the impact of Real-Time Random Safety Audits in organizational culture: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a cross-cultural adaptation of the Safety, Communication, Operational Reliability, and Engagement (SCORE) survey and to use this instrument to evaluate the impact of a safety intervention. DESIGN: Cross-cultural adaptation and before-and-after evaluation study. SETTING: 5 ICU. PARTICIPANTS: Medical residents, attending physicians, and nurses at those ICU. INTERVENTIONS: Adaptation of the SCORE survey to Spanish culture. The adapted survey was used to assess all safety-culture-related domains before and one-year after implementing the use of a safety tool, Real-Time Random Safety Audits (in Spanish: Análisis Aleatorios de Seguridad en Tiempo Real, AASTRE). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Adaptabiliy of the Spanish version of SCORE survey in the ICU setting and evaluation of the effect of AASTRE on their domains. RESULTS: The cross-cultural adaptation was adequate. Post-AASTRE survey scores [mean (standard deviation, SD)] were significantly better in the domains learning environment [50.55 (SD 20.62) vs 60.76 (SD 23.66), p<.0001], perception of local leadership [47.98 (SD 23.57) vs 62.82 (SD 27.46), p<.0001], teamwork climate [51.19 (SD 18.55) vs 55.89 (SD 20.25), p=.031], safety climate [45.07 (SD 17.60) vs 50.36 (SD 19.65), p=.01], participation decision making [3 (SD 0.82) vs 3.65 (SD 0.87), p<.0001] and advancement in the organization [3.21 (SD 0.77) vs 4.04 (SD 0.77), p<.0001]. However, post-AASTRE scores were significantly worse in the domains workload and burnout climate. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-cultural adaptation of the SCORE survey into Spanish is a useful tool for ICUs. The application of the AASTRE is associated with improvements in six SCORE domains, including the safety climate.

Assessment of the implementation of safe medication practices in Intensive Medicine Units.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of implementation of medication safety practices in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and to identify opportunities for improvement. DESIGN: A descriptive multicenter study was carried out. SETTING: Intensive Care Units. PARTICIPANTS/PROCEDURE: A total of 40 ICUs voluntarily completed the "Medication use-system safety self-assessment for Intensive Care Units" between March and September 2020. The survey comprised 147 items for evaluation grouped into 10 key elements. MAIN VARIABLES: Calculation was made of the mean scores and mean percentages based on the maximum possible values for the overall survey, referred to the key elements and to each individual item for evaluation. RESULTS: The mean score of the overall questionnaire among the participating ICUs was 436.8 (49.2% of the maximum possible score). No differences were found according to functional dependence, size of the hospital or type of ICU. The key elements referred to the incorporation of clinical pharmacists in these Units, as well as the competence and training of the professionals in safety practices yielded the lowest values (31.2% and 33.2%, respectively). Three other key elements related to accessibility to information about patients and medicines; to the standardization, storage and distribution of medicines; and to the quality and risk management programs, yielded percentages <50%. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous effective safety medication practices have been identified with a low level of implementation in ICUs. This situation must be addressed in order to reduce medication errors in critically ill patients.

Incidents related to critical patient safety during in-hospital transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidents related to patient safety (IRSP) and their risk factors during in-hospital transfer (IHT) of critical patients after the application of a protocol, and to evaluate safety during transfer using quality indicators. DESIGN: A prospective, observational and non-intervention cohort study was carried out. SETTING: A 10-bed multipurpose Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a second level university hospital. PATIENTS: All IHTs of critical patients in the ICU for diagnostic tests and to the operating room between March 2011 and March 2017 were included in the study. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Demographic variables, patient severity, transfer priority, moment of the day, reason and type of transfer team. Pre-transport checklist items and IRSP were collected. A biannual analysis was made of quality indicators designed for IHT. RESULTS: A total of 805 transfers were registered, mostly of an urgent nature (53.7%) and for diagnostic tests (77%). In turn, 112 transfers (13.9%) presented some type of IRSP; 54% related to the equipment and 30% related to team and organization. Adverse events occurred in 19 (2.4%) transfers. Risk factors identified in the multivariate analysis were mechanical ventilation and the transport team. The evolution of the indicators related to transport was significantly favorable. CONCLUSIONS: After the application of an IHT protocol, IRSP are low. The main risk factor is invasive mechanical ventilation. The experience of the team performing IHT influences the detection of a greater number of incidents.