Korean J Perinatol.  2013 Dec;24(4):265-274. 10.14734/kjp.2013.24.4.265.

Neonatal Transport and Regionalization of Neonatal Intensive Care: The Perspective of Transferred Preterm Infants in a Single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the South-western Area of Gyeonggi-do

• Shin SH
• Lee EH
• Shin JH
• Hwang MJ
• Choi YO
• Seo WH
• Choi BM
• Kim HJ
• Hong YS

• KMID: 2072303
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/kjp.2013.24.4.265

Abstract

PURPOSE
Not only regionalization of neonatal care for high risk newborn, but also safe neonatal transport system of newborn were not completely established in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age with regard to inborn and outborn status, to understand the problems of regionalization of neonatal care and neonatal transport system and to provide the basis to solve the potential problems.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 40 outborn and 40 inborn preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Korea University Ansan Hospital during the period between January 2006 and June 2013.
RESULTS
Compared with those in the inborn group, the incidences of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress were significantly more frequent in the outborn group at admission. The uses of surfactant, ventilator, and inotrope were significantly more frequent in the outborn during hospitalization. Mortality occurred only in the outborn group. Most of infants were transferred by a nurse alone, not a team with doctor.
CONCLUSION
Transferred preterm infants may not be sufficiently stabilized before transport, according to the result of more frequent hypoglycemia and respiratory distress in the outborn group. In order to reduce mortality and morbidity of transferred newborn from level I, the national policy about neonatal intensive care unit level guideline (manpower, equipment, and facility), regionalization of neonatal intensive care, and neonatal transport system are needed in Korea.

Keyword

Transportation of patients; Regional medical programs; Preterm infant; Resuscitation; Perinatal care

MeSH Terms

Gestational Age
Gyeonggi-do*
Hospitalization
Humans
Hypoglycemia
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Intensive Care, Neonatal*
Korea
Mortality
Perinatal Care
Regional Medical Programs
Resuscitation
Retrospective Studies
Transportation of Patients
Ventilators, Mechanical

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