ABSTRACT
Safe transfer of the patient from the operating room to the intensive care unit (ICU) can only be undertaken when the patient is stable, fully monitored and accompanied by appropriate personnel. The ICU should receive instructions on the arrival time, ventilator settings and drug infusions needed. On arrival at the ICU there should be a systematic handover that details the patient’s past medical history, pre-operative evaluation and intra-operative course. This should be followed by a full clinical examination and appropriate investigations (blood tests, imaging, etc.).
