Work

Exploring the impact of non-emergency inter-hospital neonatal transport on infants and their parents: a mixed-methods systematic review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background Within a regionalized system for neonatal intensive care, non-emergency transfers away from tertiary NICU hospitals occur frequently, for example due to a stabilized condition of the child, due to capacity issues, or for semi-elective surgical treatment. Although the negative impact of transport of critically ill preterm neonates has been extensively described, the effects of non-emergency transport specifically is not widely reported on. This scoping review aims to examine the current literature on how non-emergency neonatal inter-hospital transfers of preterm infants affect both the child and their parents. Methods A scoping review will be conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Medline, Embase and CINAHL data will be searched for English or Dutch language empirical research publications or guidelines. Excluded are (systematic) reviews, (educational) simulation-based research, commentary, protocols and conference abstracts. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment will be performed by at least two independent authors. Quantitative and qualitative data will be assessed separately. Outcome measures include any information of the clinical situation/stability of the child before, during and/or after transport, and any parent reported outcome and experience measures regarding transfer experiences.

Source: BMJ Paediatrics Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2026-004846