Pretransport and posttransport characteristics and outcomes of neonates who were admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit.

Objective: The objective for this study was to characterize the impact and the safety of transporting neonates with known or suspected cardiac abnormalities.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the charts and computerized records of 192 admissions to a cardiac ICU in 2002. Patients were included when they were < 28 days of age at admission and were transported from adjacent obstetric facilities (local N = 70) or other inpatient medical facilities (transport N = 122). Demographic, clinical, pharmacologic, laboratory, and diagnostic information was obtained before transport (when available) and within 3 hours of arrival. Arrival status was considered optimal when measured metabolic and clinical parameters all were within range. Outcome variables included days on ventilator, days in ICU, days in hospital, and death.

Results: Of local admissions, 31 (44%) patients had 61 suboptimal arrival values, including pH < 7.25 (n = 11), saturation < 70% (n = 12), and temperature < 36 degrees C (n = 9). There were 69 undocumented values in 39 patients. Of transported patients, 55 (45%) had 86 suboptimal arrival values, including pH < 7.25 (n = 8), saturation < 70% (n = 14), and temperature < 36 degrees C (n = 13). There were 98 undocumented values in 53 patients. No in-transport deaths or catastrophic events occurred. Local admissions were more likely to have a prenatal diagnosis of heart disease and had more complex disease and higher mortality. Other outcome parameters were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Low admission arterial saturation, pH, and core temperature were not correlated with adverse outcome measures.

Conclusions: Although we did not encounter major transport complications, opportunities exist to optimize arrival status and improve surveillance and documentation.