Transporting sick newborn babies

Abstract

Premature and sick babies are particularly vulnerable to the hazards of transfer due to poor homeostasis. Temperature and acid/base instability are common findings in t ransport research. 1,2 The ability of transport teams to offer effective intensive care is challenged by a range of factors, outlined in Box 1. In the UK, with some exceptions, the convention is for all units who care for babies to own some transport equipment and to undertake transfer of some or all of their own transported population. For example, in Trent Region there are 18 hospitals with neonatal facilities, with tertiary units in Nott ingham, Leicester and Sheffield. Every unit in Trent, except one, performs some transfers of sick babies. Only one unit does over 100 transfers each year of sick babies, and most do less than 10. This means that exposure to transport experience for most staff is very dilute. Most units do not offer training in transport practice. This article reviews the evidence that problems with transported neonates can be minimized and outlines good transport practice. The fundamental principle is that t ransport practice is different to work on neonatal units, and so the personnel undertaking transport should be trained to do so and should practise those skills frequently.