Patient Transfers - When and Why to Say "Yes"
As with many things on a birth record, these questions seem really straightforward, until you start to think about them. Read further for guidance on answering questions related to patient transfers.
Mother transferred for Maternal Medical or Fetal Indications for birth?
This data field captures information about transfers specifically from one facility to another facility for delivery. Patients transfer between facilities for many reasons, but the impetus behind this question is: how often do patients need more acute care than what is available at their local hospital?
In their Guide for Completing the Facility Worksheets, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) specifically instructs us to include transfers from one hospital to another hospital or from a birth facility to a hospital. Births that transfer from home to hospital are not included, as this portion of the birth record is used to capture information when a facility transfers a patient because it is unable to provide the level of care required by the patient or baby in utero.
Transfers do not include antepartum patients who transfer, get treated and sent home, then return to the second hospital for delivery. Report only patients who transfer for delivery from one facility to another. If the antepartum patient stays in-house for a day or two – or a month – and then delivers before discharging, record it as a transfer. In this situation, the key is the discharge; if a patient comes from home, it is not included as a transfer.
Patients often transfer care prenatally from one clinic to another, move, change insurance providers, or change hospitals where they plan to deliver. These situations can make it challenging to collect all the prenatal care information (please try to collect it anyway) but do not report a transfer of prenatal care in this data field
Was infant transferred within 24 hours of birth?
This transfer is easier to understand, but still raises questions. This field supports data about abnormal conditions and anomalies. Report only babies who transfer within the first 24 hours of life. If baby is transferred more than once, enter the name of the facility to which the baby was transferred first.
(Note: Out-of-state facility names are not available in the MR&C drop down list. If the mother transfers to a Minnesota facility, or if the baby is transferred to a facility in another state, select “OUT OF STATE HOSPITAL” from the drop-down list.)
Birth Conference & Training Coming May 1
The 2014 Excellence in Birth Registration Conference & Training is fast approaching! Join us at the Hampton Inn, just off I-694 at Lexington Parkway in Shoreview on Thursday, May 1, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for a day of presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions.
Maps and Directions
Topics include: culturally diverse populations in Minnesota; health disparities; paternity establishment; and practical tips to avoid mistakes (and how to correct records when they do occur). In addition to a great day of training, the conference is an excellent opportunity to network and renew acquaintances.
The cost for this year’s conference is $43.10 per person, which includes meals and all conference materials.
Register online by April 25 at: www.health.state.mn.us/registration. We are unable to accept registration or payment at the door.
There are a limited number of free registrations for first-time attendees to encourage facilities to send more than one person to the training. First-time attendees can email sally.almond@state.mn.us to request a free registration (no free registrations online, please). Free registrations are limited to the first 45 requests, on a first-come, first-served basis.
BONUS SESSION
As a bonus for new birth registrars, and those who want to refresh their knowledge, we are pleased to offer a 90-minute basic registrar training class on Wednesday, April 30 at 6 p.m., the evening before the conference. This class will be held at the Hampton Inn (the same location as the May 1 conference). RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to attend this free, additional session. Please contact Kirsti.taipale@state.mn.us to reserve your seat today.
Note: if fewer than five (5) participants have interest, we will cancel this session.
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