Transport

Abstract

The transport chapter focuses on factors that determine the decision to transport a sick infant for higher level care and preparing the infant for transfer. How the transport system works and the responsibilities of those involved are described. Specifically, the chapter describes the information needed by the receiving hospital and clarifies the roles of the sending hospital, the receiving physician, coordinating physician, and the transport team. Tools to aid decision-making (e.g., the Situation/Background/Assessment/Recommendation/Readback-Response communication tool) and process (the NICU telephone consultation form and a sample neonatal transfer record) are included. A case scenario, which rounds out the chapter, provides a scenario in which a decision whether or not to transport must be made.