Background:

Inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients between islands in an island nation is driven by the need for access to more complex health resources. In this context, transport and care delivery conditions are crucial to patient survival.

Objective:

To identify the main feelings and difficulties of nurses from a Cape Verdean island regarding the inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients.

Methodology:

This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a focus group of nurses.

Results:

From the main difficulties identified, the following subcategories emerged: Lack of/difficulties with means of transport; Lack of adequate material resources to assist during transport; Difficulties in ensuring patient comfort and privacy; Problems with inter-hospital referral/communication network; Absence of a physician during transport; and Costs associated with the inability of the nurse to return immediately after delivering the patient. Several negative feelings, such as anguish, fear, and worry, resulted from the difficulties experienced by the nurses.

Conclusion:

The nurses' statements provide an initial diagnosis of the situation regarding the resources, planning, and execution of inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients.

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