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Drivers of referrals to a children’s hospital neonatal–infant intensive care unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 39, pages 295–299 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives

Evaluate the outreach program of a regional NICU for referral satisfaction, drivers and barriers, preferences for service methods, outreach communication, and education.

Study design

To point out prevalence assessment of preferences, referral reasons, satisfaction and general feedback by regional neonatologists implemented by electronic survey using either multiple-choice or Likert scale questions. Survey questions were derived via consensus of the outreach program team.

Results

A 100% response rate was achieved from 136 neonatologists. Over 90% of the respondents indicated either increased or unchanged referral rates and answered “maybe” or “definitely satisfied” with the outreach program. Insurance, bed availability, excellence in subspecialty support, and communication from neonatologists were important referral factors. Research reputation was not a significant driver. Case conferences at referral hospitals and program newsletters were the preferred education methods.

Conclusions

Advanced subspecialty services, communication with referring neonatologists, and access to the referral system are important drivers of satisfaction for referrals to our quaternary NICU.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Scott Lorch, MD, MSCE, for reviewing the survey tool.

Author contributions

John Chuo: participated in survey design, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing. Janet Lioy: study conception, survey design, survey administration, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript preparation. Jeffrey Gerdes: participated in survey design, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing.

Funding

This study was funded by the Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Neonatology, 2nd Floor Main 34th Street & Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA

    John Chuo MD, MS, Janet Lioy MD & Jeffrey Gerdes MD, MBA

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  1. John Chuo MD, MS
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  2. Janet Lioy MD
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  3. Jeffrey Gerdes MD, MBA
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Correspondence to John Chuo MD, MS.

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Chuo, J., Lioy, J. & Gerdes, J. Drivers of referrals to a children’s hospital neonatal–infant intensive care unit. J Perinatol 39, 295–299 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0297-2

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