An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal
To assess the time frames for the inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates and investigate the factors that may have led to delays in the transfer; and investigate any adverse events encountered during the transfer of the neonate. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from December 2011 t...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2013-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X13001274 |
| _version_ | 1818532722213126144 |
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| author | P. Ashokcoomar* R. Naidoo |
| author_facet | P. Ashokcoomar* R. Naidoo |
| author_sort | P. Ashokcoomar* |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To assess the time frames for the inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates and investigate the factors that may have led to delays in the transfer; and investigate any adverse events encountered during the transfer of the neonate.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted from December 2011 to January 2012. A quantitative, non-experimental design was used to undertake a descriptive analysis of 120 inter-healthcare facility transfers of neonates within the eThekwini Health District of KwaZulu-Natal. Data collection relied upon two questionnaires.
Results: All the transfers were undertaken by road ambulances of which 83 (62.2%) by the operational ambulance units, 35 (29.2%) by the obstetric unit and 2 (1.7%) by the planned patient transport units. Twenty nine (24.2%) were specialised transfers. The mean time ± standard deviation (SD) to complete an inter-healthcare facility transfer was 3 h 49 min ± 1 h 57 min with the minimum time of 5 min and the maximum time of 10 h 34 min. Equipment required for neonatal transport was a major problem due to poor resource allocation, and malfunctioning, inappropriate, insufficient and unsterile equipment. The study identified 10 (8.3%) physiological related adverse events which included 1 (0.8%) death and 18 (15.0%) equipment related adverse events.
Conclusions: The EMRS eThekwini Health District is involved in the transportation of a significant number of intensive care and non-intensive care neonates between healthcare facilities. This study has identified numerous factors affecting the efficiency of inter-facility transfer of neonates highlighting various areas requiring improvement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:49:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a8ef4c4ef7b4ef1aefcb9bf42ae3bd3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2211-419X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:49:14Z |
| publishDate | 2013-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a8ef4c4ef7b4ef1aefcb9bf42ae3bd32022-12-22T00:56:17ZengElsevierAfrican Journal of Emergency Medicine2211-419X2013-12-0134S410.1016/j.afjem.2013.08.006An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-NatalP. Ashokcoomar*R. NaidooTo assess the time frames for the inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates and investigate the factors that may have led to delays in the transfer; and investigate any adverse events encountered during the transfer of the neonate. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from December 2011 to January 2012. A quantitative, non-experimental design was used to undertake a descriptive analysis of 120 inter-healthcare facility transfers of neonates within the eThekwini Health District of KwaZulu-Natal. Data collection relied upon two questionnaires. Results: All the transfers were undertaken by road ambulances of which 83 (62.2%) by the operational ambulance units, 35 (29.2%) by the obstetric unit and 2 (1.7%) by the planned patient transport units. Twenty nine (24.2%) were specialised transfers. The mean time ± standard deviation (SD) to complete an inter-healthcare facility transfer was 3 h 49 min ± 1 h 57 min with the minimum time of 5 min and the maximum time of 10 h 34 min. Equipment required for neonatal transport was a major problem due to poor resource allocation, and malfunctioning, inappropriate, insufficient and unsterile equipment. The study identified 10 (8.3%) physiological related adverse events which included 1 (0.8%) death and 18 (15.0%) equipment related adverse events. Conclusions: The EMRS eThekwini Health District is involved in the transportation of a significant number of intensive care and non-intensive care neonates between healthcare facilities. This study has identified numerous factors affecting the efficiency of inter-facility transfer of neonates highlighting various areas requiring improvement.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X13001274 |
| spellingShingle | P. Ashokcoomar* R. Naidoo An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| title | An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_full | An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_short | An analysis of inter-healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the eThekwini health district of KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_sort | analysis of inter healthcare facility transfer of neonates within the ethekwini health district of kwazulu natal |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X13001274 |
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