Intrahospital transport of children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Indications, process, interventions, and effectiveness

Parthak Prodhan, Richard T. Fiser, Sophia Cenac, Adnan T. Bhutta, Eudice Fontenot, Michelle Moss, Stephen Schexnayder, Paul Seib, Carl Chipman, Lauren Weygandt, Michiaki Imamura, Robert D.B. Jaquiss, Umesh Dyamenahalli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate indications, process, interventions, and effectiveness of patients undergoing intrahospital transport. Critically ill patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are transported within the hospital to the radiology suite, cardiac catheterization suite, operating room, and from one intensive care unit to another. No studies to date have systematically evaluated intrahospital transport for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. DESIGN:: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING:: Cardiac intensive care unit in a tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS:: All patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation who required intrahospital transport between January 1996 and March 2007 were included and analyzed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:: A total of 57 intrahospital transports for cardiac catheterization and head computed tomography scans were analyzed. In 14 (70%) of 20 of patients with cardiac catheterization, a management change occurred as a result of the diagnostic cardiac catheterization. In ten (59%) of 17 patients, bedside echocardiography was of limited value in defining the critical problem. In the interventional group, the majority of transports were for atrial septostomy. In the head computed tomography group, significant pathology was identified, which led to management change. No major complications occurred during these intrahospital transports. CONCLUSIONS:: Although transporting patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is labor intensive and requires extensive logistic support, it can be carried out safely in experienced hands and it can result in important therapeutic and diagnostic yields. To our knowledge, this is the first study designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of intrahospital transport for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)227-233
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2010

Keywords

  • Cardiac catheterization
  • Children
  • Computed tomography scan
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
  • Intrahospital transport

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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