Reverse transport of children from a tertiary pediatric hospital.
Air Medical Journal · 2007-01-01 · Observational study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology and resources used and to study the potential savings of pediatric reverse transport patients. METHODS: A case control study was performed with patients undergoing a reverse or outbound transport from a large, pediatric hospital. Twenty-five children undergoing reverse transport were compared with matched controls. Lengths of stay and costs were compared between the reverse transport and matched control patients. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of the reverse transport patients returned home, whereas 32% went home for end-of-life care and 16% went to other facilities. The average reverse transport was more than 400 miles and cost $6,064. The reverse transport of these patients did not save pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) days but did result in a shorter hospital stay compared with the matched controls (10 vs. 19 days, P = .03). Decreased utilization of bed days came from less use of intermediate care unit resources. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients undergo reverse transports for a variety of reasons, often for end-of-life care. The ability to reverse transport pediatric patients may not save PICU bed days but may offer pediatric tertiary care hospitals a means to provide more intermediate care bed availability.
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Tags
Helicopter & air ambulance · Children · Cost & cost-effectiveness · Interfacility & critical care transport
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