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J Pediatr Intensive Care 2020; 09(02): 099-105
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3401009
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pediatric Palliative Transport in Critically Ill Children: A Single Center's Experience and Parents' Perspectives

Anuradha P. Menon 
1   Children's Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Children's Hospital Emergency Transport Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Yee Hui Mok
1   Children's Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Children's Hospital Emergency Transport Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Lik Eng Loh
1   Children's Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Children's Hospital Emergency Transport Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Jan Hau Lee
1   Children's Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
2   Children's Hospital Emergency Transport Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 July 2019

03 November 2019

Publication Date:
03 December 2019 (online)

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Abstract

The transfer of critically ill children from intensive care units (ICUs) to their homes for palliation is seldom described. We report our 10-year pediatric palliative transport experience and conducted a survey to gain parents' perspectives of their child's transport experience. Over the study period, eight patients were transported from our pediatric ICU to their homes or hospice facilities. There were no intratransport adverse events. Parents who participated in the survey responded positively to the transport experience. The availability of a dedicated critical care transport service allowed for palliative transfers to be performed safely. Facilitating transport to allow withdrawal of life support at home is an acceptable option to families as part of holistic end-of-life care.

Keywords

palliative transport - pediatric critical care - end-of-life care
 

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