Transport
Early
recognition and transfer of high-risk pregnant women and sick newborns to
facilities with adequate diagnosis and treatment expertise is essential to
reduce neonatal mortality rates. West Virginia needs a more
coordinated, statewide approach to ensuring that appropriate maternal and
infant transport is available around the clock. The transport
committee has made and is in the process of implementing these and related
goals.
The committee's 2007 discussion of the issue of perinatal transport and recommendations for improvement are found in the Reports on the Blueprint to Improve Perinatal Health Care (2007).
2008 W. Va. Transport Summit Report Available
In June, 2008, West Virginia health professionals and administrators from facilities and organizations involved with maternal and infant transport met at a central West Virginia location to discuss implementation of the recommendations of the Perinatal Partnership Transport Committee and to outline a plan of action. Download the Report (PDF 105 KB) and Handouts. (ZIP, 1.6 MB)
Transport Committee Seeking Volunteers
Join other enthusiastic volunteers in developing a seamless system of consultation, transport, and referral for W. Va. We have five committees addressing the following issues:
- Single Call System for maternal and neonatal transports;
- Perinatal education and guideline development for this website;
- Reverse Transport Guidelines for infant care in Level II hospitals;
- Interstate Transport Relations with hospitals in border states; and
- Administrative and Reimbursement Issues including Funding for Perinatal Transport and Outreach Education.
Transport Guidelines
In collaboration with volunteer family practitioners, obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatricians in West Virginia, W. Va. Perinatal Partners is developing guidelines for best practices in maternal-fetal medicine and neonatology. The guidelines will reflect evidence-based medicine as well as the input of volunteer physicians. Each of the following headings will eventually link to an associated set of guidelines.
- Guidelines for Maternal or Infant Transport to Tertiary Care Centers
- Guidelines for Reverse Transport of Infants to a Level II Hospital
- General Care Guidelines for Obstetric Patients
- General Care Guidelines for Newborns
Health Care Providers: Your feedback is welcome!
9/16/08 Transport Guidelines Committee Meeting (Webex)
(Note: Unless you already have the Webex software, clicking on this
link will first download and install the viewer you need to see and hear the
meeting. Best results are obtained using Internet Explorer or Safari as your
browser. Firefox users may experience difficulty.)