A traveling team concept to expedite the transfer and management of unstable patients in cardiopulmonary shock.

Emergent mechanical support with transfer of patients in acute cardiopulmonary shock to specialty centers for definitive management is often required at non-transplant centers. An alternative approach to the traditional "hub and spoke" model is presented. A team of health care specialists from our hospital is deployed to the community hospital for stabilization, possible implantation, and transfer of patients to our tertiary care facility. Patient assessment can be made with intervention, allowing stabilization and safe transfer by our team to our institution. This method provides tertiary level care at the referring hospital and may improve survival for a sub-set of patients in the community hospital setting.