Resp Care
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Hospital inpatients frequently leave their rooms for diagnostic procedures and for other reasons. For some, interruption of oxygen therapy during transport could lead to serious complications. In our institution, non-ICU patient transport is done mainly by nonclinical personnel from an independent transport service. ⋯ Patients receiving O2 therapy on acute-care wards are often transported to other areas of the hospital without O2. This potentially dangerous practice can be corrected by respiratory care practitioners through educational efforts targeted toward those responsible for administering O2 therapy in non-ICU hospital areas.