Audit of neonatal intensive care transport--closing the loop

To audit the effectiveness of changes in transport arrangements, data on babies ventilated during transfer into a neonatal unit were compared between two periods. During the first period, August 1991-February 1993, an ad hoc transport team operated. Transport practice was changed in 1993 by forming a nine-person nursing transport team, improving training and upgrading monitoring. The second audit period was January 1994-July 1995. The groups were not significantly different for birthweight, gestation or levels of ventilation. Physiological variables were assessed with a "transport score". Improved scores for temperature and pH were achieved on completion of transfer in 1994-95 compared to 1991-93. Stabilizing prior to transfer took longer in the 1994-95 period. No serious deteriorations occurred in transit in the 1994-95 period, three in 1991-93. Audit facilitates identification of problems in transport. Staff, education and equipment changes were associated with improved audited outcomes.