TRIPS scale as a predictor of outcomes in newborns requiring medical evacuation: оbservational cohort retrospective study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of the patient’s condition and prediction of outcomes is critically important during pre-transport stabilization and remains the most complex challenges of the activities of transport teams. A significant variety of scales and different requirements for their application indicates that there is no consensus on the choice of a specific scale and predictive tool. OBJECTIVE: To study hospital outcomes in transported newborns, depending on the assessment on the TRIPS scale (Transport Risk Index of Physiological Stability for Newborn Infants). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The оbservational, cohort, retrospective study included data from 604 trips of the transport team to newborns consulted by resuscitation and consultative center from August 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. The total sample was divided into groups depending on the assessment of the score, followed by a comparison of characteristics and outcomes in these groups. RESULTS: There is a significant difference in birth weight and gestational age between TRIPS groups. An increase in the TRIPS score in transported newborns is associated with an increased risk of death with a maximum relative risk of 21.4 (3.35–136.72) (between 6 and 1 groups). For other outcomes, there are significant differences between groups with minimum and maximum TRIPS scores. CONCLUSIONS: The TRIPS scale allows to stratify newborns requiring inter-hospital transportation by the risk of developing a fatal outcome and complications at the upcoming hospital stage.