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.
10.14734/kjp.2013.24.4.265
- Author:
Sang Hoon SHIN
1
;
Eun Hee LEE
;
Jeong Hee SHIN
;
Mi Jung HWANG
;
Young Ok CHOI
;
Won Hee SEO
;
Byung Min CHOI
;
Hai Joong KIM
;
Young Sook HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. cbmin@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Transportation of patients;
Regional medical programs;
Preterm infant;
Resuscitation;
Perinatal care
- MeSH:
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
- From:Korean Journal of Perinatology
2013;24(4):265-274
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
