Nationwide survey of neonatal transportation practices in Japan

Rapid resuscitation and appropriate transportation of sick infants can greatly improve infant survival and neurological prognosis. To gain an understanding of the status of neonatal transport in Japan, we conducted a survey of neonatal transportation capabilities at perinatal medical centers across the country. Survey content included the number of neonatal transportation cases and the method of transportation. Twenty percent of infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units were transported to the medical centers from other institutions. Half of the level III perinatal medical centers owned an ambulance specialized for neonatal transport. A total of 36% of sick newborns, however, were transported by fire department ambulances that are ill-equipped to care for infants. Thirteen percent of centers reported problems with the emergency transportation of newborns in fire department ambulances. Centers lacked specialized ambulances primarily because of financial constraints. Adequate medical insurance coverage is needed to increase the number of specialized ambulances at perinatal medical centers.