---
title: "IPD Bed Transfer"
description: "How to transfer a patient between beds or wards in NICE HMS — update bed status, track transfer history, and adjust billing."
date: 2026-07-19
lastModified: 2026-07-19
category: "ipd"
author: "Dr. Umesh Bilagi"
beta: true
---

## Overview

Bed transfers happen when a patient moves from one bed to another — between wards, from general ward to ICU, from ICU to step-down, or simply to a different room. NICE HMS tracks transfers and adjusts billing automatically.

## How to Transfer a Patient

1. Open the patient's IPD encounter from **My Patients > IPD** or the IPD census.
2. Click **Bed Transfer**.
3. Select the new bed from the available list.
4. Enter the transfer date and time.
5. Optionally add a reason for transfer (e.g., "Upgraded to private room" or "Moved to ICU for monitoring").
6. Click **Confirm Transfer**.

## What Happens During Transfer

- The **source bed** status changes to "Cleaning" (or "Available" if already cleaned).
- The **destination bed** status changes to "Occupied."
- The transfer is recorded in the patient's IPD encounter history.
- Room charges are automatically adjusted — if the room category changed (e.g., from General Ward to Private), billing reflects the new daily rate from the transfer time.

## Bed Statuses

| Status | Meaning |
|--------|---------|
| **Available** | Ready for patient assignment |
| **Occupied** | Patient currently in this bed |
| **Reserved** | Held for a specific upcoming admission |
| **Cleaning** | Being cleaned after discharge/transfer |
| **Maintenance** | Out of service for repairs |

## Managing Beds

Beds are managed from **Admin > Bed Management**. You can:
- Add new beds to wards
- Change bed status manually (e.g., mark for maintenance)
- View bed occupancy dashboard
- Configure ward types and room categories

See [Bed Management](/docs/bed-management) for full details.

## FAQ

**Q: Does billing update automatically after a transfer?**
A: Yes. If the new bed is in a different room category, the daily room charge rate changes from the transfer time.

**Q: Can I transfer to an occupied bed?**
A: No. You can only transfer to an Available or Reserved bed. The system prevents double-occupancy.

**Q: Is there a limit on transfers per admission?**
A: No. You can transfer as many times as clinically necessary. All transfers are recorded in the patient's record.