Prescheduled neonatal return transports.

In 1990, increasing numbers of neonatal transports and high occupancy rates of neonatal beds statewide motivated our team to take a closer look at how to provide our services more efficiently. The neonatal transport medical director and team coordinator developed a system that addressed problematic issues in providing back or return transports to the community hospitals. This system was devised, implemented, and adjusted to provide a more organized approach to the overtaxed system already in place. With efficient use of supplies, human resources, and teamwork, the prescheduled neonatal return transport process was put into effect. The system provided an easier mechanism for the coordination of return transports and helped decrease frustration levels in community hospital staff, referring nursery staff, and transport personnel. All or portions of this plan can be utilized in other neonatal transport services that find their present resources inadequate to meet the referral region's needs.