Ventilators Currently Used in Emergency Neonatal Transport: Italian National Survey, Year 2025

Abstract

Objective: Emergency neonatal transport is well established in many Western countries, with comprehensive frameworks and guidelines for the management of neonatal respiratory distress. The aim of this survey was to provide valuable insights into the ventilators currently used during neonatal transport in Italy. We hope that the results of this survey will help guide and inform future improvements in the quality of care provided during neonatal transport for newborns with respiratory distress.

Methods: Survey period: January 2025 (1-31). A simple questionnaire with 3 key questions was sent by e-mail to the directors of the 55 currently active Italian neonatal emergency transport services (NETS). The questions were as follows: Which ventilator model(s) are used? How many ventilators are mounted on each transport incubator in use? How many transport incubators are currently in use in your NETS? The last 2 questions have an additional query: Is it possible for your NETS to transport twins simultaneously, and if so, what is the current ventilation strategy?

Results: The survey, conducted among 55 Italian NETS, provides the following breakdown of the main results. Total ventilators used: 115; Hamilton T1: 61 of 115 (most used); Fabian without High Frequency Ventilation (HFV): 24 of 115; Stephan F 120: 18 of 115; Crossvent-2i+: 6 of 115; Leoni Plus with HFV: 2 of 115; MVP-10: 2 of 115; Bronchotron F00038-1: 1 of 115; pNeuton mini NEO: 1 of 115.

Conclusion: This survey has revealed that there is great variability in Italy regarding the ventilators used in neonatal transport.