What happens if I become too sick to transfer to another facility for VAD?
If transfer becomes unsafe, the VAD team may need to explore local access, visiting practitioners, symptom care or whether the process can continue.
If you become too sick to transfer, contact the VAD care navigator or coordinating practitioner urgently. They can explain what options exist in your state or territory.
Options may include a practitioner visiting you, the facility allowing access, using another lawful location, or focusing on palliative care if the VAD process cannot safely or legally continue.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. VAD transfer and facility rules differ between states and territories. Get advice from the official VAD service as early as possible.
This is a reason to plan early
People can become too weak to travel quickly. Pain, breathlessness, delirium, fatigue or infection may make transfer unsafe.
If you are in a facility that does not provide VAD, ask early what will happen if you cannot move later.
Capacity still matters
Being too sick to transfer may also mean a person is close to losing decision-making capacity or the ability to communicate. If capacity is lost before required VAD steps are complete, the process may not be able to continue.
Comfort care should continue
If VAD cannot proceed, the treating team should still assess symptoms, discuss palliative care options, and support the person and family.
You may also want to read
- What happens if someone loses capacity before completing the VAD process?
- What happens if my hospital, hospice or aged-care facility does not participate in VAD?
- What if I want VAD but do not qualify?