TRANSPORT FOR PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE-CARE - MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE OFA SPECIALIST TRANSPORT SERVICE

Fifty children were referred for transport to a paediatric intensive c are unit (PICU). Two scoring systems were used for the transfer proces s. A physiology score derived from the paediatric risk of mortality (P RISM) score was performed at referral, before transfer and on arrival on PICU. An interventions score based on the therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS) was performed for interventions by the referring staff and by the transport team before and during transfer. Critical events during transport were recorded. Three children died at the refe rring hospital. Forty-seven were transported by the PICU team. No chil d died or suffered a major physiological deterioration or equipment re lated problem in transit. Physiology scores did not deteriorate during transfer. Referral physiology scores did not reliably predict the nee d for major therapeutic interventions by the transport team before tra nsfer. Critically ill children may be transported safely by a speciali st team.