NEONATAL INTERHOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION: CHALLENGES AND FACTORS IMPACTING PATIENT SAFETY - A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Neonatal inter-hospital transport is a complex and essential process to ensure the survival and quality of life of the critical newborn. This study aims to analyze the factors that compromise the safety of inter-hospital transport of neonates, with emphasis on the importance of prior care in the unit of origin. The justification of the study lies in the need to improve protocols and training, minimizing the risk of aggravation and ensuring a safe transfer. The methodology used was a systematic review of the literature, with searches carried out in the PubMed, SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Google Academic databases, covering the period from 2018 to 2023. Descriptors such as "transport of the critical neonate", "aggravations" and "pre-transport care" were used, applying rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that failures in pre-transport care, such as the absence of well-defined protocols and insufficient resources, are directly associated with the increase in clinical problems, such as thermal and hemodynamic instability. Recent data indicate that up to 25% of transported newborns have avoidable complications during displacement. To mitigate these risks, it is essential that the teams of the hospital of origin are prepared through clear protocols, regular training and availability of adequate equipment to stabilize the newborn before transfer. As an expected result, it is expected to contribute to the development of evidence-based practices that reinforce the safety and quality of neonatal inter-hospital transport, reducing morbidity and mortality and promoting better outcomes for critical neonates.