Dr Baggs has taken issue with several aspects of our recent publication on timing of transfer out of intensive care unit (ICU).1 First, her observation that we failed to identify the bedside nurse as part of the care team is a valid and appropriate criticism. In fact, we do believe that nurses are key members of the ICU team, and they were included in transfer decisions, when possible. We say “when possible” because in the ICU studied, the patient:nurse ratio was most commonly 2:1 or 3:1. As a result, only about half the time was a given patient’s own nurse able to be present in the morning rounds sessions during which such decisions were most frequently made. This information should have been included in the description of the ICU care team and the decision-making process for transfers.
Dr Baggs also noted that none of our references related to the...
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