MEDICAL TRANSPORT OF HIGH-RISK AND CRITICALLY ILL NEONATES

Abstract

Medical transport of high-risk and critically ill neonates is important component of perinatal care, especially because a large number of infants who need intensive care and therapy, still is being born in institutions of primary and secondary care. Efficient medical transport is only part of the overall functional health care system, particularly perinatal care system, as well as good organization and standardization of human resources for neonatal transport, standardization of treatment and the necessary equipment. Transport programs must be absolutely designed according to the specific characteristics and needs of a particular region, its size, geographical features, climate, economic level and quality of equipment of medical institutions. The stabilization of the infant's clinical condition prior to transport is essential, and significantly reduces the risk of adverse events, which may contribute to morbidity or mortality. It is reported that a shorter duration of interhospital transport improves outcome in critically ill neonates. This article is an attempt to consider all the issues and problems related to transport critically ill neonates, including the the issue of personnel, medical equipment, development policy issues, and issues of transport administration.

Key words: high-risk and critically ill neonate, medical transport, neonatal intensive care