BACKGROUND: Neonatal transports carry risk of complications and technical mishaps which may cause deterioration of the patient's condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study on all transports from the subregional neonatal unit, Vestfold Hospital, Norway to other hospitals during the 23-year period 1982-2004. RESULTS: 396 transports were undertaken with a total of 359 patients, 0.7% of live born infants (n = 49,250). Indications were prematurity/respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 84 (21%), congenital malformations in 188 (47%), and other conditions in 124 (31%). After the establishment a local respirator programme 1989, transports for prematurity/RDS declined significantly from the 7-year period 1982 - 88 to the 16-year period 1989-2004 (3.4 vs. 1.0 per 1000 live born infants ;p < 0.0001). Night-time transports declined by 55 %. Technical mishaps occurred in 4% of the transports. No deaths occurred during transport; however, 10 infants (2.8%) died within 24 hours on arrival. INTERPRETATION: Neonatal transports were associated with risk of deterioration. High local competence and up-to-date technical equipment for neonatal intensive care improve the quality of transport, reduce the incidence of transports of premature infants with RDS, and of transports during night-time.
BACKGROUND: Neonatal transports carry risk of complications and technical mishaps which may cause deterioration of the patient's condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study on all transports from the subregional neonatal unit, Vestfold Hospital, Norway to other hospitals during the 23-year period 1982-2004. RESULTS: 396 transports were undertaken with a total of 359 patients, 0.7% of live born infants (n = 49,250). Indications were prematurity/respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 84 (21%), congenital malformations in 188 (47%), and other conditions in 124 (31%). After the establishment a local respirator programme 1989, transports for prematurity/RDS declined significantly from the 7-year period 1982 - 88 to the 16-year period 1989-2004 (3.4 vs. 1.0 per 1000 live born infants ;p < 0.0001). Night-time transports declined by 55 %. Technical mishaps occurred in 4% of the transports. No deaths occurred during transport; however, 10 infants (2.8%) died within 24 hours on arrival. INTERPRETATION: Neonatal transports were associated with risk of deterioration. High local competence and up-to-date technical equipment for neonatal intensive care improve the quality of transport, reduce the incidence of transports of premature infants with RDS, and of transports during night-time.
Authors: Ömer Erdeve; Emel Okulu; Yogen Singh; Richard Sindelar; Mehmet Yekta Oncel; Gianluca Terrin; Giovanni Boscarino; Ali Bülbül; Hannes Sallmon; Begüm Atasay; Fahri Ovalı; Ronald I Clyman Journal: Turk Arch Pediatr Date: 2022-03