Interfacility transport of critically ill newborns

Question 1

Who should be in a transport team, ideally?

Answer 1

two members: RT and RN
dedicated to the transport team
from a tertiary hospital with a dedicated physician accessible at all hours

Question 2

Who has full responsibility of the patient?

Answer 2

The recei

Question 3

Is it possible, before the transport, to predict the need for a physician?

Answer 3

Yes (evidence base).

There is no scoring system and predicting relies on clinical judgement

Question 4

What equipment is needed for neonatal transport?

Answer 4

incubator,
O2
air
nitric oxide
suction
pulse oximetry and capnography
monitor 
ventilator
point of care laboratory testing

Question 5

What are some of the challenges with the transport environment?

Answer 5

hypothermia - warmed mattress, isolette
noise - ear muffs
vibration- air-foam mattress and gel pillow

Question 6

When do you air versus land transportation?

Answer 6

take into account distance, geography and weather

Cost effective:
250 km - air
100-250 mk -equivocal

Question 7

Who is responsible, medico-legally, for the patient while transports is occurring?

Answer 7

the referring and receiving hospital star that responsibility. The tertiary centre has responsibility from the moment they have hear about the referral.

Question 8

During transport, what is the most common cause of mistake?

Answer 8

Human error (67%)
Equipment failure (21%)
Ambulance problems (9%)