Referring Physicians and Resources

Transfer Center Triage Services

As an academic medical center offering expertise in more than 200 specialties, The University of Kansas Health System partners with community and regional healthcare providers to care for patients with time-critical or complex conditions.

Our experienced triage nurse coordinators work with referring and accepting physicians to identify the right resources to treat the right patient at the right time. These experienced emergency care and ICU nurses are dedicated to facilitating transfers that optimize quality and efficiency.

For trauma or time-critical care, call 877-738-7286 to request a transfer evaluation.

Rapid care for time-critical diagnoses

When seconds count, our triage nurse coordinators are ready to facilitate rapid transfers and rapid care. When taking calls from referring providers, they will:

Collect patient information on condition and diagnosis
Communicate with attending physicians to expedite consults
Apply clinical triage and decision-making regarding patient placement and response team activation
Collect medical record information and images to reduce duplication of tests and scans
Provide real-time bed status for incoming patients

Conditions that require immediate medical attention and for which we offer leading expertise include:

These nurses are wonderful. They collect everything we need to work on behalf of the patient. As a team, we are providing faster access to the right care, and that's what it's all about. – Theresa King, MD
Hospitalist, The University of Kansas Health System

Added value through financial, medical review

Ensuring every patient in need receives the care they require is our transfer team's topmost priority. But, for patients without a time-critical diagnosis or those who are inpatients without an emergency medical condition, we promote transparency in insurance coverage.

Without this crucial step, patients may be at risk to bear the responsibility of significant medical costs

We evaluate insurance coverage in advance to help patients make informed decisions and avoid the burden of unexpected, uncovered medical costs. Patients without verified payer coverage may speak with our financial counselors if they wish to continue the transfer process.

This evaluation also explores medical necessity. Our triage nurse coordinators obtain medical records and share them with a review team that includes a physician adviser and requested subspecialty team. Together, these experts will determine the need for an acute transfer and may be able to suggest effective, alternate options, such as clinic care.

This process helps us safeguard nonemergent patients' physical and financial health.

Accreditations and distinctions

These recognitions underscore our commitment to quality.

Still the best

Our hospital continues to rank as the best in Kansas City and in Kansas according to U.S. News & World Report.

Magnet-recognized

The University of Kansas Hospital has been designated a Magnet® facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2006.

Respect for all people

Named a leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.

Request a consult

Seeking a physician's opinion without transferring your patient? Request a physician-to-physician consult.

Calls after hours will be screened and transferred to the best available resource.

What to expect as a referring provider

We look forward to supporting you and your patients in the most efficient and effective manner. Patients pursuing transfer fall into 1 of 2 categories: patients who have an urgent or emergent condition, and patients who do not. The transfer process will unfold as follows for patients with each need.

- A transfer representative will immediately connect you to a triage nurse coordinator. If a triage nurse coordinator is not available, you will be briefly placed on hold. If the triage nurse does not become available within 3 minutes, the representative will collect basic information and alert the triage nurse coordinator that you are awaiting a call back. Be prepared to provide the following information:
  
  The name of the sending facility and the patient's location at the facility (ED or inpatient)
  
  Patient demographics, including name with middle initial, date of birth and the diagnosis prompting the request
  
  If you believe your patient needs neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery or vascular surgery services, upload images to the cloud ASAP to expedite a disposition.
- The triage nurse coordinator will collect information on the patient's condition and diagnosis. The coordinator will determine the specialty service most appropriate for the patient and communicate the patient information to the attending physician. The triage nurse coordinator will need:
  
  The reason for the transfer (specialty service not available at facility, current transplant patient, etc.)
  
  A brief patient overview, including known medical history, significant exam findings, injuries identified and current physical exam
  
  If appropriate, information regarding imaging with findings, lab values, vital signs and trends, medications and procedures
- The University of Kansas Health System physician will accept or decline the transfer request or may ask to speak with the referring provider to determine disposition. Patients are often accepted without the medical providers speaking directly to one another, but physician-to-physician report can be facilitated.
- If the transfer is accepted, the triage nurse coordinator will gather additional information to proceed with the transfer.
- A transfer representative will immediately connect you to a triage nurse coordinator. If a triage nurse coordinator is unavailable, the representative will collect basic information from you and alert the triage nurse coordinator that you are awaiting a call back. Be prepared to give the following information:
  
  Your name, title and call-back number
  
  The name of the sending facility and the patient's location at the facility
  
  Patient demographics, including name with middle initial, date of birth and the diagnosis prompting the request
  
  If you believe your patient needs neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery or vascular surgery services, upload images to the cloud ASAP to expedite a disposition.
- After confirming the transfer request is routine, the triage nurse coordinator will collect information on the patient's condition and diagnoses. The transfer team will explore financial and medical necessity clearance. The triage nurse coordinator will need:
  
  The reason for the transfer (patient/family request, second opinion, etc.)
  
  If appropriate, information regarding imaging with findings, lab values, vital signs and trends, medications and procedures
  
  A copy of the patient's facesheet
  
  Scanned documents including H&P, 3 days of progress notes, labs and vital signs, notes from consulting physicians, reports from imaging and procedures and current medication record
- If the patient is not cleared for transfer, the triage nurse coordinator may notify the requesting provider and end the transfer process.
- If the patient is cleared for transfer, the triage nurse coordinator will collect more detailed patient information from the referring provider. The coordinator will determine the specialty service most appropriate for the patient and communicate the patient information to the attending physician.
- The University of Kansas Health System physician will accept or decline the transfer request or may ask to speak with the referring provider to determine disposition. Patients are often accepted without the medical providers speaking directly to one another, but physician-to-physician report can be facilitated.
- If the patient transfer is accepted, the triage nurse coordinator will gather additional information to proceed with the transfer.

I cared for a woman I diagnosed with a malignant tumor in her thyroid gland. The concern was that she was having airway compromise. Prompt attention was needed. Your triage nurse coordinator requested the patient's images via the cloud. When limited bed availability complicated the transfer, the nurse sought appropriate alternatives, resulting in prompt transfer to the medical ICU under the care of the pulmonary team. Please extend my sincere gratitude for the effort put forth for this patient. I wanted this patient at the leading center of excellence for cancer care in our region, and you made it possible. – Referring local physician

Referring physician resources

To collaborate effectively on behalf of our patients, we offer the following resources to prepare your patients for transfer. Please review the relevant documents to promote continuity of patient care through transfer.

For patients with acute ischemic stroke
For patients with known or suspected sepsis
For patients with STEMI:
While you are calling for a transfer, please have one of your team members fax the patient’s EKG to 913-588-2249. Have another team member obtain a second peripheral IV (do not delay the transfer to obtain the IV). In addition to a brief history and assessment report, be prepared to provide the following details when speaking with the triage nurse coordinator:

Creatinine, hemoglobin and platelet values, and INR if available
Iodine and aspirin allergy status
Current chronic anticoagulation medications, such as Coumadin®, Xarelto® and Plavix