Essential Guide to PTS Online
Information for online uses requesting patient transport
Contents
Page Number
3
Introduction
Mobility, Patient and Escort Eligibility
4
Infection, Prevention and Control
7
Equipment
9
Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR): Standard Operating
Procedure
10
Oxygen: Standard Operating Procedure
10
PTS Online Disclaimer
11
2
Introduction
About this Guide
The purpose of this guide is to provide additional information to support online users in correctly
completing requests for the Patient Transport Service (PTS). The guide highlights specific operating
procedures and the importance of submitting the correct information to Yorkshire Ambulance
Service (YAS) when making a booking.
You can use this manual alongside the online tutorials to understand the processes and information
required for booking transport and other requests. In addition to this document, you should also
have a training manual covering all the functionalities of the PTS online system.
From our experiences of rolling out the PTS online system to treatment centres across the region,
we strongly advise that you take the time to watch the online tutorials and read your training
manual, paying extra attention to completing a block/regular booking and inputting a suspension.
If you have any queries with the tutorials or require assistance, please do not hesitate to call the
PTS Systems Administrator, tel: 01924 584948.
PTS online URL’s for accessing the training and live systems.
https://ptsonline.yas.nhs.uk/ptsonlinetraining (training site)
https://ptsonline.yas.nhs.uk/ptsonline (Live site)
3
Mobility, Patient and Escort Eligibility
Mobility
The mobility chart (pages 5 and 6) illustrates the types of mobility you can book using the PTS
online system. It is imperative that you take the time to read and understand each mobility type
to ensure you select the correct mobility when booking transport for your patients. Transport
booked with the incorrect mobility will result in the journey being aborted and the patient will not
be able to travel.
Mobility codes that are not illustrated are not permitted to be booked using the PTS online system
and these will have to be booked through the PTS Reservations department, tel: 0845 120 3192.
These include bariatric patients and three and four man lifts. Three and four man lifts consists of a
driver plus two or three attendants to convey the patient. A risk assessment needs to be
undertaken prior to the journey
Patients and Escort Eligibility
All patients must be assessed to ensure they are eligible for transport. If they are eligible and have
requested an escort, the escort should also be assessed to ensure they are also eligible as they
take up valuable spaces on PTS vehicles.
4
Mobility Codes
Description
Driver only
The patient can walk to, and travel in, a saloon car or
people carrier unaided or with very little assistance
from the driver. The patient can manage steps on the
vehicle with steady assistance and the driver will
provide a door-to-door service.
Ambulance with driver plus tail-lift
The patient can walk with the assistance of a driver
to the vehicle. The patient can manage the step on
to the vehicle with steady assistance only, or
manage the tail-lift with assistance from the driver.
The patient may require assistance to the vehicle in
a wheelchair but they can transfer to the seat of an
ambulance and there is easy access at home and
destination (no steps) and requires the attention of
a driver only. This patient can also travel in a
wheelchair if there is only one step/ramp at the
home address.
Ambulance with driver and attendant plus taillift
The patient, due to their health or difficult access,
requires either a YAS wheelchair or carry chair with
the assistance of two ambulance staff to be
transferred to and from the ambulance. If the patient
requires a carry chair they must be able to transfer
on to a vehicle seat.
Ambulance with driver plus tail-lift - patient
travelling in own wheelchair
The patient is required to travel in their own
wheelchair and cannot transfer. There is simple
access at home and destination (no more than one
step) and requires the attention of a driver only.
This mobility can also accommodate wheelchairs
with leg extensions.
Ambulance with driver and attendant plus taillift - patient travelling in own wheelchair
The patient is required to travel in their own
wheelchair. There are steps at home and/or their
condition requires a two-person crew. This mobility
can also accommodate wheelchairs with leg
extensions. A W2 crew can manage two steps only,
anymore will require the patient to use a YAS carry
chair.
5
Cleric Codes
SC
T1
T2
W1
W2
Stretcher patient
The patient must lie down for the duration of the
journey, and/or has a full leg cast or patient is
unable to bend their leg and cannot sit. Ask about
access to the patient’s home as the patient may
need to transfer to a carry chair.
Child - requires child seat or booster cushion
Children (12 years or under), or any child under the
height of 4ft 5ins, require a child or booster seat. All
children under the age of 16 must travel with an
escort. A harness is available for a baby/child (up to
the age of 4) to be fastened to a stretcher.
6
STR
CH
Infection, Prevention and Control
To minimise the risk of cross-infection it is important that you read and understand the different
types of infections so that the correct information can be provided to YAS to ensure safe and
appropriate transport for the patient.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
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MRSA is a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections. The initial presentation of
MRSA is small red bumps on the skin becoming larger and more painful accompanied by a
fever and occasional rashes.
MRSA is especially common in hospitals and nursing homes where patients with open
wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of infection.
All MRSA-positive patients can be conveyed by YAS.
Most MRSA-positive patients can be conveyed with other patients with the following
exception, where single transport (travel alone) is required - Patients with skin lesions not
covered by dressing or clothes.
This information needs to be recorded in the requirements’ drop-down box selecting if a
patient is ‘OK to travel alone’ or is ‘OK to travel with other patients’. In the temporary notes
section add text stating the patient has MRSA. It is important that these instructions are
followed to ensure safe and appropriate transport is allocated for the patient.
Clostridium Difficile (C-Diff)
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C-Diff causes severe diarrhoea and other intestinal diseases.
C-Diff is an anaerobic bacterium that is present in the gut and is usually spread by the hands
of healthcare staff and others who come in to contact with infected patients.
C-Diff patients who have not had diarrhoea for the past 48 hours are considered not infected
and can be conveyed with other patients.
C-Diff patients who have had diarrhoea in the past 48 hours are considered infectious and
single transport (travel alone) is required.
This information needs to be recorded in the requirements’ drop-down box selecting if a
patient is ‘OK to travel alone’ or is ‘OK to travel with other patients’. In the temporary notes
section add text stating the patient has C-Diff. It is important that these instructions are
followed to ensure safe and appropriate transport is allocated for the patient.
Tubercle Bacillus (TB)
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TB is a common infectious disease caused by various strains of bacteria.
TB usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body such as the glands,
bones and, on rare occasions, the brain. It is spread through the air when people who have
an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit their saliva through the air.
If the patient has TB and has not commenced treatment or is within two weeks of
commencing treatment single transport (travel alone) is required.
If the patient has TB and has completed two weeks of treatment the patient can be conveyed
with other patients.
This information needs to be recorded in the requirements’ drop-down box selecting if a
patient is ‘OK to travel alone’ or is ‘OK to travel with other patients’. In the temporary notes
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section add text stating the patient has TB. It is important that these instructions are followed
to ensure safe and appropriate transport is allocated for the patient
Norovirus
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Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting).
The illness is generally mild and people usually recover fully within two to three days; there
are no long-term effects that result from being infected.
Norovirus patients who have had no episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea within the proceeding
48 hours are deemed not infectious and can be conveyed with other patients.
Norovirus patients who have had one or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhoea within the
proceeding 48 hours are deemed infectious and must be conveyed as single transport (travel
alone).
This information needs to be recorded in the requirements’ drop-down box selecting if a
patient is ‘OK to travel alone’ or is ‘OK to travel with other patients’. In the temporary notes
section add text stating the patient has Norovirus. It is important that these instructions are
followed to ensure safe and appropriate transport is allocated for the patient.
Cystic Fibrosis
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Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by
clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.
Cystic Fibrosis patients should not travel with other patients who are infected with Cystic
Fibrosis but can travel with other patients who are not infected.
This information needs to be recorded in the requirements’ drop-down box selecting if a
patient is ‘OK to travel alone’ or is ‘OK to travel with other patients’. In the temporary notes
section add text stating the patient has Cystic Fibrosis. It is important that these instructions
are followed to ensure safe and appropriate transport is allocated for the patient.
8
Equipment
Infusion or Syringe Driver
An infusion or syringe driver is a small pump used to gradually administer small amounts of fluid to
a patient. Syringe drivers are also useful for delivering medications to a patient over several hours
while in transit.
When patients are travelling with an infusion or syringe driver it is important to know what conditions
will be accepted by PTS and what should be considered for transport by A&E. It is imperative that
you read and understand the information below so you can complete the PTS online booking form
correctly and to ensure safe and appropriate transport for the patient.
Details of patients travelling with an infusion or syringe driver must be recorded in the requirements
section on the booking form and in the temporary notes section.
PTS can convey the following only:
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A patient with a mini, automated and battery operated, ‘Graseby MS26’ or ‘MS16A’
syringe driver. The syringe driver must not be disconnected or stopped for the journey and
can be booked without an escort. Any patients who are unstable should be considered for
transport by A&E.
A patient with an IV pump or infusion line which has been disconnected by medical or nursing
staff prior to transport, can travel with PTS.
Patients with an IV pump or infusion line that is running can be transported by PTS but must
have a qualified nurse escort.
Patients with any intra spinal infusion must travel with A&E.
Zimmer Frames
Patients with mobility aids such as a zimmer frame are allowed to use these and take them with
them if they wish and if deemed appropriate by the PTS online user.
You must record the conveyance of the zimmer frame in the equipment drop-down box on the PTS
online booking form to ensure the patient is transported in a vehicle where their mobility aid can be
adequately secured.
Luggage
Patients are allowed to take one piece of luggage with them when being admitted or discharged
from hospital. This can be recorded on the PTS online system using the equipment drop-down box
and selecting ‘Luggage: 1 bag’.
9
Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR):
Standard Operating Procedure
DNACPR is a decision in place for a patient for whom in the event of cardio or respiratory arrest, it
is agreed that no attempts at cardio pulmonary resuscitation will be made.
There are two types of DNACPR:
Category 1
DNACPR means that the patient’s life expectancy is less than 48 hours and death is imminent so
must travel alone and be booked with a double crew.
Category 2
DNACPR means that the patient’s life expectancy is more than 48 hours and the patient can travel
with other patients.
If there is a DNACPR decision in place for the patient it is expected, at the point of booking, that
you should identify this, using ‘Requirements and Recording’ in the temporary notes section within
the PTS online system.
On arrival, you must have the original copy of the DNACPR decision available for the ambulance
crew to view and confirm its contents.
If a valid and original copy of the DNACPR is not provided the ambulance crew will default to their
taught protocols of basic life support (BLS) in the event of a patient suffering a cardio pulmonary
arrest.
Oxygen: Standard Operating Procedure
If a patient has reduced oxygen levels due to an illness or injury, PTS can still convey that patient by
increasing the concentration of oxygen they breathe using an oxygen cylinder en route. This is
usually achieved by putting a mask on the patient and increasing the concentration to an
appropriate level.
All patients requiring oxygen during transport must travel on a double crew vehicle as this will allow
the attendant to observe the patient throughout. However, if a parent or carer is escorting the patient
who has a portable oxygen cylinder that can be secured safely into a vehicle, it is acceptable for the
patient to travel single-handed with the escort taking responsibility.
PTS can administer oxygen en route at any level. The level (in litres or percentages) must be
recorded on the booking form using the tick box option in the ‘Requirements and Recording’
temporary notes section.
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PTS Online Terms and Conditions
Yorkshire Ambulance Service gives an assurance that it meets various information security criteria
through signing up to the NHS Connecting for Health’s ‘Statement of Compliance’ and yearly
mandatory self assessment against the Information Governance Toolkit. We expect all users of the
organisation network and systems to use these services responsibly.
It is essential, therefore, that as user of PTS online that you understand the follow the Terms of Use
of these services to ensure that the confidentiality, security and integrity of the organisations
network and systems are not compromised.
Your Responsibilities
Be aware that when you are accessing any network and system provided by Yorkshire Ambulance
Service, the following conditions MUST apply, regardless of whether the computer equipment is
owned and provided by the organisation or not.
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You must safeguard your username and password from disclosure to any person. Do not
write your password down
You must use your own password and username only; you are responsible for all activity on
your user account. You may not access a computer account that belongs to another
member of staff
Lock your PC if you are leaving it [CTRL+ALT+DEL] or shut down or log off. Do not allow
anyone else access whilst you are logged in to the computer.
Do not divulge confidential information held on the PTS Online to someone who has no right
or permission to that information
If there is a requirement to print information from the PTS online system exercise extreme
caution – never leave printouts on printers unattended, collect them immediately.
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I fully understand and agree to abide by the above terms and conditions of use and also understand
the information provided in the Essential Guide to PTS Online
I understand that a breach of security, abuse of this service or non-compliance with these Terms
and Conditions of Use may result in withdrawal of this service.
Name
Health Facility Address
Telephone No
Section 1.
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I confirm receipt of the PTS online training URL & eLearning, training username and password.
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I confirm receipt of the PTS Online Training Guide
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I confirm receipt of the Essential Guide to PTS Online booklet.
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I confirm I have read and understood the T&C’s and supporting information covered in the Essential Guide to PTS
Online.
Signature
Date
Signature of Department Head
Date
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