Maternal transport: behind the drama.
Despite a lack of proof that overall perinatal outcome is improved, physicians and patients participate in a growing regional maternal transport program in a community hospital setting. Over the course of 3 1/2 years, 129 patients were transferred from 23 institutions. Maternal transport and the changes which result in the interactions of the physicians are compared to traditional referral systems. Obstacles and guidelines for minimizing them are discussed.
D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010500:Perinatology / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000379:methods*