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


METHODS
Mixed methods utilizing parental interview and medical record review.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Donohue
P K
PK
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. pdonohu2@jhmi.edu
Hussey-Gardner
B
B
Sulpar
L J
LJ
Fox
R
R
Aucott
S W
SW
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010360:Patient Transfer; D012017:Referral and Consultation