Abstract
Pediatricians from 13 hospitals in Eastern Virginia implemented a neonatal ground transport system for high-risk neonates to an Intensive Care Nursery (ICN). In the first 10 months, 254 newborns were transported. 25% were intubated, 22% were on the ventilator, and 3% received classical CPAP.
The efficacy and safety of the transport system were evaluated by comparing clinical parameters obtained on the infant prior to transport and on admission to the ICN. Prior to transport 47% of newborns had axillary temperatures of <36.5 C., 26% had blood pressures <40 mmHg and 36% had dextrostixs of <40 mg%. On admission to the ICN only 7% of the newborns were hypothermic, 16% were hypotensive, and 6% were hypoglycemic. Considering all 3 parameters 66% of the patients improved during transport, 7% deteriorated, and 27% had no change.
Newborns transported by a conventional ambulance prior to the development of the neonatal transport system had a significantly higher mortality during transport and 24 hours after admission (P < .01). The mortality of transported infants within 24 hours of admission was significantly lover than the expected mortality based on birth weight and gestational age as reported by Lubchenco, L.O. et al ( J. Ped. 81:4, 1972).
These data demonstrate that a transport system maintained by the ICN will reduce mortality and improve the clinical condition of critically ill neonates transported.
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Wirth, F., Wellman, L., Millhouse, C. et al. AN EVALUATION OF A NEONATAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM. Pediatr Res 11, 545 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01049
