ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The transport of critically ill newborns by specialised transport teams has been shown to be associated with a significant improvement in their clinical condition on arrival at the receiving hospital. AIM: To determine if the National Neonatal Transport Programme introduced in 2001 improved clinical condition of newborns at the end of transfer. METHODS: A retrospective study of all 176 patients transported by the National Neonatal Transport Programme between March 2001 and March 2002. RESULTS: Before transfer, 17% of patients were hypothermic, 2% hypoglycaemic and 11% acidotic as were 7%, 3% and 5% respectively at the end of transfer. A review of 172 neonatal transports between 1987 and 1989 revealed that 21% of patients were hypothermic, 13% hypoglycaemic and 20% acidotic at the end of transfer. CONCLUSIONS: The National Neonatal Transport Programme has resulted in improved clinical condition of newborns at the end of transfer when compared to their condition before transfer and compared to outcomes prior to the introduction of the programme.
