Journal article
Patient and family-centered care practices during inter-facility transfer of critically ill children: an exploratory mixed methods study
Frontiers in health services, Vol.6, 1835422
08/20/2026
DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2026.1835422
Abstract
Introduction:
The inter-facility transfer of a critically ill child to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a highly stressful time for families. This exploratory study aimed to identify care practices important to patients/families during urgent transfers of children from frontline settings to a higher level of care.
Methods:
We conducted a mixed methods study using surveys and interviews of parents/guardians of children transferred to a single PICU from external institutions. Participants were surveyed about their perceived importance of transfer-related care practices, specifically those addressing families' understanding of transfer, communication, family presence, and patient/family needs. A subset of parents were interviewed to characterize their transfer experience and identify improvement opportunities.
Results:
Of 23 patient-parent dyads who consented, 13 parents completed the initial survey, 11 completed the follow-up survey, and four participated in interviews. From the surveys, three care practices were identified as most important to responding families: 1) providing parents/guardians with verbal information about their child's condition, 2) providing patients the ability to request their parents/guardians during transfer, and 3) immediately contacting families with significant patient status changes. Interviews revealed that communication with healthcare teams is a substantial factor affecting families' experience of a smooth vs. stressful inter-facility transfer.
Conclusions:
In this exploratory study, care practices ensuring that timely information about a child's clinical condition is relayed to their parents/guardians were most important to families of critically ill children undergoing inter-facility transfer to the PICU. Communication between families and healthcare teams plays a significant role in families' experiences of transfer.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Patient and family-centered care practices during inter-facility transfer of critically ill children: an exploratory mixed methods study
- Creators
- Claire Stucky - Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical CenterAaron M. Scherer - University of IowaIrene Pantekidis - Boston Children's HospitalCaroline Elser - University of Northern IowaAditya Badheka - University of IowaShilpa C. Balikai - University of IowaMadhuradhar Chegondi - Children's Hospital of IllinoisMitchell A. Luangrath - University of IowaNehal R. Parikh - Children's Mercy HospitalPriyadarshini R. Pennathur - The University of Texas at El PasoHeather Schacht Reisinger - University of IowaChristina L. Cifra - Boston Children's Hospital
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in health services, Vol.6, 1835422
- DOI
- 10.3389/frhs.2026.1835422
- ISSN
- 2813-0146
- eISSN
- 2813-0146
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/20/2026
- Academic Unit
- Critical Care; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Center for Social Science Innovation; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9985220286702771
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