Abstract
Aims: Our neonatal network has provided a centralised service for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) since April 2008. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this service.
Methods: Data for all neonates referred for TH since April 2008 was retrospectively analysed.
Results: 92 referrals were received: 81 from our network and 11 from 3 other networks. No referral was refused. 46% of referrals occurred “out of hours” (20:00-08:00). 6 infants did not fulfil cooling criteria and 2 infants died prior to transfer. The Remaining 84 infants were centralized within our network
Following 72 hours of TH, 72 infants were discharged home or back to their local unit (median stay 9 days). Short term outcome indicators were: death 14%; severely abnormal MRI 23%; mildly abnormal MRI 24%; normal MRI 30%.
Conclusions: Centralisation of TH allows equity of access to expertise whilst ensuring target core temperature is achieved within an acceptable time frame. A successful centralised TH service relies on early referral of eligible infants and a 24hr neonatal transfer service.
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O'Reilly, K., Tooley, J. & Winterbottom, S. Therapeutic Hypothermia - A 24 Hour Centralised Model of Care. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 197 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.422
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.422