YF Cheung, MP Leung, KT Chau, KW Hung, MH Cheung

Abstract

This audit reports on the results of two-way interhospital transport of sick infants with cardiac problems from March 1996 to August 1997, using the T1 Globe-Trotter Neonatal Transport System. There were 33 transfers, of which 21 were retrieval transfers of 22 patients, 9 return transfers and 3 transfers to other hospital. Of the 22 patients retrieved, 50% were in significant heart failure requiring ventilatory support, 27% receiving intravenous prostaglandin E1/2 infusions and 23% with anticipated complications due to labile haemodynamic status. Their median age was 19 days (range 0.5 to 193 days) and median weight 2.91 kg (range 1.15 to 5.3 kg). For retrieval transfers by ground transport, the total travel and stabilization time were 88±41 minutes and 57±23 minutes respectively; the average total transport time being 2.4 hours. The single retrieval transfer by air took 2.3 hours in total. There were no equipment failures. Comparison of the pre- and post-transport haemodynamic parameters revealed no significant deterioration. Two-way interhospital transport of paediatric cardiac patients ensures smooth transfer of these high risk patients, and prevents the significant acidosis and hypothermia noted in previous one-way transfer of ventilated patients.