Retrospective Review of Pediatric Transport: Where Do Our Patients Go After Transport?

OBJECTIVE: This review describes disposition of transported children and identifies contributing factors affecting optimal patient placement. The study describes timing and patient placement indicators in transport patients to identify areas of improvement, re-education, and training.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review for transports via our pediatric specialty transport team from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2014, was performed. Patients were identified by the transport quality assurance performance improvement database, hospital electronic medical records, and transport medical records.

RESULTS: Three thousand two hundred fifty-six pediatric patient transports were reviewed. One hundred forty-three records were excluded. Of the remaining 3,113 patients, admission disposition was: 1,487 (47%) pediatric intensive care unit, 120 (4%) pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit, 835 (27%) step-down critical care unit, 438 (14%) emergency department, 194 (6%) general floor, 29 (1%) neonatal intensive care unit, and 10 (< 1%) operating room. Of the 22% transported to a lower-acuity unit, several subsequently required critical care. Children transported for traumatic injuries had a shorter emergency department length of stay than medical patients.

CONCLUSION: Our study validates the efficient use of pediatric specialty transport team resources. Many transported patients are critically ill, require specialized pediatric services, or require definitive pediatric emergency department care.