’n Ondersoek na die gehalte van interhospitaalvervoer van siek neonate deur geselekteerde ambulanse aan die Witwatersrand

The quality o f the inter hospital transport o f ill neonates, by selected ambulances in the Witwatersrand area, was investigated by means o f the case study method. O f the fifteen case studies investigated, eleven neonates were transported by a private ambulance and four by provincial ambulances. Data regarding the maternal- and neonatal history, the optimal maintenance o f the neonate's condition, the communication system, as well as aspects relating to the transport personnel, were collected by means o f a structured instrument. Retrospective auditing o f records, structured interviewing and direct observation/inspection were utilised as the research techniques. The quality o f the inter hospital transport o f ill neonates, especially by the private ambulance, is not up to standard. Deterioration o f the neonate’s body temperature, heart and respiration rates, as well as the serum glucose values after transport, were o f the more important findings. The lack o f equipment, especially in the private ambulance, increases the risk o f transport. Staff development and form al control by a local committee, as well as a national control body, are recommended