A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Trends in centralization of very preterm deliveries and neonatal survival in Finland in 1987-2017
Authors: Helenius K, Gissler M, Lehtonen L
Publisher: AME PUBL CO
Publishing place: Hong Kong
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Translational Pediatrics
Journal name in source: TRANSLATIONAL PEDIATRICS
Journal acronym: TRANSL PEDIATR
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
First page : 227
Last page: 232
Number of pages: 6
ISSN: 2224-4344
eISSN: 2224-4344
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2019.07.05
Web address : 10.21037/tp.2019.07.05
Abstract
Very preterm infants are at high risk of death and complications of prematurity. Optimal outcomes are achieved if these infants are delivered in hospitals with the highest level of neonatal expertise. Centralization of very preterm deliveries to such hospitals has been recommended for decades, and is supported by a large body of literature. However, centralization may not be easy to implement due to financial, organizational and workforce-related issues. In this review, we present the scientific background for centralization, how it has been successfully implemented in Finland and how neonatal survival has changed following this implementation.
Very preterm infants are at high risk of death and complications of prematurity. Optimal outcomes are achieved if these infants are delivered in hospitals with the highest level of neonatal expertise. Centralization of very preterm deliveries to such hospitals has been recommended for decades, and is supported by a large body of literature. However, centralization may not be easy to implement due to financial, organizational and workforce-related issues. In this review, we present the scientific background for centralization, how it has been successfully implemented in Finland and how neonatal survival has changed following this implementation.
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