Abstract:
Introduction
Transferring patients between health care institutions is an essential practice in Sri Lanka. All transfer
patients are accompanied by a standard transfer form (Health 946). This provides essential infor mation regarding the patient to the receiving hospital. The objective of our study was to analyse the
data available on transfer forms and to assess the outcome of these patients on arrival at the Paediat ric Unit B of Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura.
Method
A retrospective data analysis was carried out on transfer forms and patient records over a six-month
period. Data analyzed included whether information requested on the form was provided, reason for
transfer, time of transfer, average duration of hospital stay and outcome of the patient who was
transferred. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine,
Rajarata University.
Results
Of 150 transfers, 74(49.30%) were female and 76(49.70%) were male. 47(31.30%) were children less
than one-year-old. Majority (125,83%) were from divisional hospitals. 43(28.7%) were transferred for
“further investigations and management” while 34(22.7%) were transferred for respiratory tract infec tions. 65(43.30%) had been admitted to the local hospital on day one of illness and 63(45%) were
transferred on the day of admission. 72(48%) did not require any intervention during the first 24
hours of transfer. Only 33(22%) needed some immediate intervention on admission and one needed
intensive care. The most prominent diseases documented on discharge were lower respiratory tract
infections (LRTI) in 32(21.30%), bronchiolitis in 23(15.30%), viral fever in 21(14%) and simple febrile
convulsions in 12(8%).
Conclusions
The majority of transfer forms contained the required information. However, the reason for transfer
was not specified in a third of the forms. More than a third were transferred on day one of illness and
day one of the admission to the local hospital. Almost half of patients did not require any immediate
intervention on transfer. The cost effectiveness of transferring paediatric patients between health care
institutions needs further evaluation with a well-planned study.
