RCH logo

PIPER - Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval

Retrievals and referrals

  • PIPER
    For all Paediatric, Neonatal and Perinatal Emergency Calls
    1300 137 650

    Paediatric and Neonatal emergency referrals

    For Paediatric and Neonatal Emergency referrals call the 24-hour emergency line on 1300 137 650.

    • The referral is conferenced with the PIPER Consultant and the PIPER retrieval team.
    • Clinical advice is provided and a decision about the need to transfer is agreed.
    • If transfer is required PIPER mobilises a team. If it is agreed that the transfer is paramedic led then PIPER and the referrer discuss who will contact Ambulance Victoria via 000 to book an Ambulance.
    • For transfers using a PIPER team, PIPER organises the bed. For paramedic transfers PIPER and the referring hospital agree who takes responsibility for sourcing a bed.

    Perinatal emergency referrals

    Call the 24-hour emergency line on 1300 137 650.

    • The referral is conferenced with the PIPER Consultant Obstetrician and the call coordinator.
    • Clinical advice is provided and a decision about the need to transfer is agreed.
    • PIPER will assist with organising the transfer using Ambulance Victoria and sourcing a bed at the appropriate receiving hospital.

    Non-emergency/elective

    For non-emergency or elective transfers and consultations call the 24-hour non-emergency line on 1300 659 803.

    Returns

    For return bookings call the 24-hour non-emergency line on 1300 659 803. Please refer to Return Transfer Service Information Sheet for more information.


    Paediatric

    PIPER provides rapid access to a Paediatric intensive care consultant or Senior Registrar. Early referral allows us to:

    • Discuss diagnosis and treatment,
    • Mobilise our team and other resources promptly, and
    • Initiate additional pre-retrieval management if needed.

    You can make a referral at any time when paediatric intensive care advice or retrieval is needed. Our call coordinator will guide you through the process and document the details using the I.S.B.A.R. format. For more information on I.S.B.A.R., see PIPER Paediatric Referral Information.

    Some patients require an urgent time critical response, which we describe as ‘Go Now’ Criteria. These criteria are not referral thresholds. In many cases, we encourage earlier referrals to trigger the prompt immediate mobilisation of our retrieval team. If you are concerned about a child-whether on presentation or due to lack of improvement with therapy-please contact PIPER for review and escalation. See PIPER Retrieval Team Response Times for more information.    

    Related documents:

    Neonatal

    PIPER provides rapid access to a Consultant Neonatologist. The quality of decision making is enhanced if the most senior clinician responsible for the patient makes the referral where practical.

    Factors that impact on decision making for any referral include:

    • The severity of the infant’s condition
    • The potential for deterioration
    • The resources and capabilities of the referring hospital – both in general and specifically available at the time of the referral
    • The need for specialist assessment
    • The requirement for treatment and/or therapy only available in a tertiary center. 

    Please refer to Referral to PIPER Neonatal Guideline for more information. 

    Related documents:

    Perinatal

    PIPER provides rapid access to a Consultant Obstetrician. The quality of decision making is enhanced if the most senior clinician responsible for the patient makes the referral where practical.

    Factors that impact on decision making for any referral include:

    • The clinical requirements of the mother and baby i.e. level of Maternity/Newborn capability required
    • Previous care at a health service
    • Degree of clinical urgency (determined at time of referral)
    • Known or anticipated maternity/newborn critical care system demands
    • Geographic location of the referring health service
    • Social needs and considerations of the patient/family 
    • Risk of the referral triggering an “overflow” neonatal transfer from the accepting L6 hospital.

    Please refer to Perinatal Referrals, Bed Finding & Defined Transfer Process for more information.