Should parents accompany critically ill children during inter-hospital transport?
BACKGROUND
Parental accompaniment during inter-hospital transportation (retrieval) of critically ill children is not commonplace in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
A three month pilot of parental accompaniment was undertaken in 2002 (143 retrievals), after which time the policy was adopted as standard practice. A follow up audit was performed in 2004 (136 retrievals).


RESULTS
Findings were remarkably consistent between the two periods. Staff perceived little or no added stress during the majority of transfers (96% in 2002, 98% in 2004), and felt able to perform medical interventions without hindrance (98% in 2002, 100% in 2004). There was good agreement between medical and nursing staff regarding perception of stress and ability to perform interventions (phi statistic 0.57 to 1.00). Adverse events occurred during 11 (3.9%) retrievals; six of these involved a parent exclusively. Stress tended to be associated with adverse events or parental behaviour rather than disease acuity. Staff vetoed the offer of accompaniment on 11 occasions, for a variety of reasons. The majority of parents found the experience safe, beneficial, and perceived a reduction in stress as a result. These data may inform other retrieval services who are considering adopting a similar policy.
Davies
J
J
Department of Paediatric Intensive Care, Guy's and Saint Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Tibby
S M
SM
Murdoch
I A
IA
D000293:Adolescent; D000552:Ambulances; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008131:London; D008485:Medical Audit; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology