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Characteristics of neonatal transports in California

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 1122–1127 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the current scope of neonatal inter-facility transports.

Study design:

California databases were used to characterize infants transported in the first week after birth from 2009 to 2012.

Results:

Transport of the 22 550 neonates was classified as emergent 9383 (41.6%), urgent 8844 (39.2%), scheduled 2082 (9.2%) and other 85 (0.4%). In addition, 2152 (9.5%) were initiated for delivery attendance. Most transports originated from hospitals without a neonatal intensive care unit (68%), with the majority transferred to regional centers (66%). Compared with those born and cared for at the birth hospital, the odds of being transported were higher if the patient’s mother was Hispanic, <20 years old, or had a previous C-section. An Apgar score <3 at 10 min of age, cardiac compressions in the delivery room, or major birth defect were also risk factors for neonatal transport.

Conclusion:

As many neonates receive transport within the first week after birth, there may be opportunities for quality improvement activities in this area.

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Acknowledgements

Laura Hedli, MS critically reviewed the manuscript. We appreciate the support of the Child Health Research Institute, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health and Stanford CTSA (grant number UL1 TR000093). This project was also supported by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant (K23HD068400). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD or NIH.

Author contributions

Vishnu Priya Akula: Dr Akula designed the study, analyzed the data and drafted the initial manuscript. Jeffrey Gould: Dr Gould contributed to the study design, reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. Jochen Profit: Dr Profit contributed to the study design and critically reviewed the manuscript. Peiyi Kan: Miss Kan wrote the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) program for the data analysis and critically reviewed the manuscript. Lisa Bollman: Miss Bollman conceptualized the study design, developed the data collection infrastructure, reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript. Henry Lee: Dr Lee coordinated and supervised the study, analyzed the data, critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    V P Akula, J B Gould, J Profit & H C Lee

  2. California Perinatal Transport System, Palo Alto, CA, USA,

    J B Gould & L Bollman

  3. California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, Palo Alto, CA, USA,

    J B Gould, P Kan, L Bollman, J Profit & H C Lee

Authors
  1. V P Akula
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  2. J B Gould
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  3. P Kan
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  6. H C Lee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V P Akula.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Perinatology website

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Akula, V., Gould, J., Kan, P. et al. Characteristics of neonatal transports in California. J Perinatol 36, 1122–1127 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.102

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