Implementing the RNAO Transitions in Care and Services BPG in ICU-to-Ward Transfers: A Structured, Nurse-Led Transition Pathway with NQuIRE-Aligned Measurement

ICU‑to‑ward transitions are high‑risk events frequently associated with discontinuities in communication and post‑transfer support, leading to adverse events, care fragmentation, and increased unplanned ICU readmissions. While pre‑transfer handover processes are often established in many institutions, standardized post‑transfer collaboration and continuity practices remain highly variable and are frequently absent from routine workflows. Evidence indicates that effective transitional care must encompass a multi‑phase, system‑level process extending beyond the discrete handoff moment to include pre‑transfer assessment, structured transition planning, post‑transfer follow‑up, and patient/family engagement.