A prospective study of nurse-supervised versus physician-supervised neonatal transports.

To compare the quality of neonatal care provided by nurse-supervised teams with that provided by physician-supervised teams, a prospective study was used to examine the condition of neonates transported under the supervision of a nurse clinician (55 infants), pediatric residents (141 infants), and neonatology faculty members or fellows (38 infants). Gestational age, birthweight, Apgar scores, vital signs, arterial blood gas values, length of stabilization time, type of respiratory support required, and death during transport were analyzed. Neonates in all groups demonstrated similar severity of illness before transport, showed significant improvement during transport, and were in comparable condition after transport.