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Parents' perception of the back-transport of very-low-birth-weight infants to community hospitals

Journal of Perinatology volume 29, pages 575–581 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To characterize parents' perception of back-transport of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants from a regional referral neonatal intensive care unit (RR-NICU) to a community hospital (CH) for convalescent care.

Study Design:

Mixed methods utilizing parental interview and medical record review.

Result:

Overall, 20% of parents selected the CH to which their child was transferred. Less than half of the parents wanted the transfer. Psychological comfort with the RR-NICU was the most frequently reported reason for opposing transfer. At the time of home discharge, most parents were satisfied with the transfer and felt prepared to care for their infant at home.

Conclusion:

Parents want their infants closer to home, but are worried about the unknown. They are willing to forfeit autonomy in decision-making regarding the site of convalescent care. Parents need better preparation for transfer. Including them in an advisory group that reviews transfer policies could ameliorate the transition.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center Telethon Funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    P K Donohue, L J Sulpar & S W Aucott

  2. Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    P K Donohue

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    B Hussey-Gardner & R Fox

Authors
  1. P K Donohue
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  2. B Hussey-Gardner
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  3. L J Sulpar
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  4. R Fox
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  5. S W Aucott
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Correspondence to P K Donohue.

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Donohue, P., Hussey-Gardner, B., Sulpar, L. et al. Parents' perception of the back-transport of very-low-birth-weight infants to community hospitals. J Perinatol 29, 575–581 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.17

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