Understanding and preventing harmful hospital transfers
Official title: Identification and Prevention of Potentially Inappropriate Inter-hospital Transfers
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10906801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the safety of moving patients between hospitals to see if some transfers might do more harm than good, and it’s designed for anyone who has been hospitalized or cares about someone who has, so we can find better ways to keep patients safe during these moves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS028621-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are hospitalized medical patients who may be at risk of being transferred between hospitals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not hospitalized or those who are not candidates for inter-hospital transfer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the risks associated with inter-hospital transfers (IHT) for patients who are moved between acute care hospitals. It aims to identify patients who may be harmed by these transfers without receiving any clear benefit. By analyzing data from 1,800 hospitalized medical patients across 18 hospitals, the study will develop tools to recognize inappropriate transfers and create interventions to minimize these occurrences. The research involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including patients, families, and healthcare professionals, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance patient safety by reducing unnecessary and potentially harmful hospital transfers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that there are significant risks associated with inter-hospital transfers, suggesting that this approach to identifying and preventing inappropriate transfers is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Stephanie — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Stephanie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.