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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. See Return Transfer Service Information Sheet for more information.


    Paediatric

    PIPER is more than happy to discuss any unwell child you are concerned about, at any time. Early referral enables us to discuss the diagnosis and treatment, mobilise our team and any other resources in a timely manner as required, and to initiate any additional pre-retrieval management as needed.

    There are particular patients who need an urgent response, and we have defined these criteria, which we refer to as ‘Go Now’ criteria. These are not meant as thresholds for referral, for many such children we would wish to be called earlier, but rather they are triggers for urgent departure of our retrieval team. See the PIPER Paediatric ‘Go Now’ Criteria.

    Please make your referral at any point in time when you need paediatric intensive care advice or retrieval. Our call coordinator will greet you and record this information in an I.S.B.A.R. format.

    It is NOT a requirement to have ALL the information available. 

    Introduction
    • Your name
    • Clinical role
    • Location
    • Contact number

    • Your patient's name
    • Age/DOB
    • Weight

    The PIPER Consultant or Senior Registrar will join the call and discuss the following with you (our call coordinator will record the information)

    Situation The clinical situation (e.g. status epilepticus, child is intermittently
    apnoeic, will likely require intubation)
    Background 1. past medical history
    2. presenting problems/history of presenting illness
    3. management undertaken, investigations performed
    4. review of systems
    • Airway
      • clinical findings
      • intubation grade
      • ETT size
      • ETT position
    • Breathing
      • clinical findings
      • ventilation
      • parameters
      • blood gases
      • CXR
    • Circulation
      • clinical findings, HR, BP, rhythm
      • vascular access
      • fluids (bolusses and continuous fluids)
      • vasoactive medication
    • D
      • clinical neurological findings
      • sedation
      • muscle relaxants
      • CNS imaging
    • E
      • temperature
      • blood results incl. blood glucose
      • microbiology
    • F

      • family/parents
    Assessment The working diagnosis or overall assessment of the situation
    Request Please state whether you are requesting advice only or retrieval or are unsure.

    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:

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

    See Referral to PIPER Neonatal Guideline for more information. 

    Related documents:

    Perinatal

    How to obtain expert high-risk obstetric advice.

    Telephone PIPER dedicated 24 hour emergency line on 1300 137 650.

    • The referral is conferenced with the PIPER Consultant Obstetrician and the call coordinator.
    • Advice is provided.
    • PIPER will assist with organising the transfer and the appropriate healthcare facility required for the referred woman.