Accept the patient
Formal Definition
The formal acknowledgment by a receiving service, unit, or physician team that they agree to assume clinical responsibility for a patient being transferred from another team, unit, or facility.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Will you accept this patient?" or "they accepted the transfer" — the formal handoff of responsibility between teams.
Example
""Community hospital calling: 'We have a STEMI with cardiogenic shock — will you accept transfer to your CICU?' Attending: 'Accepted. Activate the cath lab; ETA 45 minutes.'""
Clinical Context
"Accepting" is a formal clinical and legal commitment. Once a receiving team accepts, they cannot later refuse care because they changed their mind about acuity. In transfers, always confirm the receiving team's bed availability and attending name. In internal transfers (ED to floor, floor to ICU), "accepting" means the receiving team has assessed and agreed — not just that a bed exists.
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