TRANSPORT OF A SICK NEWBORN
Transport of a sick newborn may be necessary for transfer to higher center (inter-facility transfer) or within the same center for investigation purposes (intra-facility transfer).
Intra-facility transfer must be avoided, as far as possible. During the transfer, baby has to cope not only with primary illness but also with adverse environmental factors, e.g. cold, jerks, noise, etc., which can further compromise the survival.It is always preferable to anticipate complications and transfer the high-risk baby in utero, though it is not
always possible due to logistic or medical reasons. In such cases, following principles should be observed to ensure safety of the baby.
• Pre-transport preparations:
- Evaluate the genuineness of indication.
- Communicate with parents about the reason for transport and get their consent.
- Ensure availability of the vacancy at referral center and willingness to accept the transfer.
- Arrange a well-equipped mode of transport, e.g. ambulance, well in advance.
- Arrange a trained health-care provider to accompany the baby, who is well-versed with resuscitation procedures. Mother may also be encouraged to travel with baby.
- Provide a detailed referral note, stating the reason for referral, pre-transport condition and treatment given along with necessary investigation reports.
- Ensure availability and working condition of resuscitation equipments, including oxygen cylinder, etc. during trasnport
• Stabilization of the baby:
- Resuscitate if required,
- Ensure clear airway and breathing support during transport,
- Correct hypothermia and ensure proper temperature support,
- Secure good vascular access,
- Give medications as required, till the baby reaches its destination.
• During transport:
- Inform the referral center about expected time of arrival
- Use the shortest and fastest route for transfer
- Ensure proper ambient temperature in the vehicle
- Do not open the windows or doors of the vehicle to avoid wind drafts
- Continuously monitor the vital signs.
• Hand-over the baby:
- Re-evaluate the baby before hand-over to referral team
- Hand-over the baby, referral note and all left-over medicines, etc. to proper person
- Inform them about any emergencies/changes during the travel time.
- Counsel anxious parents and introduce them to the new team
- Take the acknowledgement of transfer from new team including their assessment on arrival for records.
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More on the topic TRANSPORT OF A SICK NEWBORN:
- VASCULAR ACCESS IN SICK CHILDREN
- INDIA NEWBORN ACTION PLAN (INAP)
- BABY FRIENDLY HOSPITAL INITIATIVE
- Agrawal M.. Textbook of Pediatrics. 3rd ed. — CBS Publishers,2025. — 973 p., 2025
- NEONATAL NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS
- METABOLIC DISORDERS IN NEWBORN
- CARE OF NORMAL NEWBORN
- VASCULAR ACCESS PROCEDURES