What characterizes an inter-facility transfer?

An inter-facility transfer refers to the movement of a patient from one licensed health care facility to another. This is characterized by the need to provide appropriate care that cannot be met at the original facility. In this context, the correct answer identifies the transfer of a patient to a bed located in a facility that is not under the same license or management. Such transfers often occur due to a lack of necessary services, specialized care, or capacity at the original facility.

In contrast, movement within the same facility, whether it's to a different room or between wings, does not constitute an inter-facility transfer since it remains in the same licensed entity. Similarly, admission to a hospital involves entering a facility but does not imply transferring from one facility to another. The key distinction is the change in the licensed environment where care is provided, which is essential to the definition of an inter-facility transfer.