Dell Children’s critical care transport
What to expect
When your child receives transport care, a pediatric critical care trained registered nurse and registered respiratory therapist are available to provide care while en route to one of the Dell Children’s campuses. Each transport nurse and respiratory therapist is specially trained in advanced pediatric life support, neonatal resuscitation, advanced life support, advanced airway, and trauma care. If your child is in need of life-saving care while en route, our ambulance, helicopter, or airplane are equipped to become a mobile intensive care unit.
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What modes of transportation do you use?
The transport team will select the best option of transportation for your child based on several factors including severity of illness, distance, time of day, doctor’s preference and weather. Dell Children’s offers a team of dedicated critical care transport professionals:
- STARFlight™ (FAA Part 135 Certificate Holder) for rotor wing (helicopters)
- American Medical Response for ground transport
- AirMed International (FAA Part 135 Certificate Holder) for long distance transports that require fixed wing services (airplanes).
STARFlight™, AirMed International, and Dell Children’s Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).
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Can I ride in the ambulance, helicopter or airplane with my child?Yes, in most cases we can take one parent with us, regardless of the mode of transport. In cases where we are transporting your child via helicopter or airplane, the ultimate decision on parents riding with us lies with the pilot. Make sure that you ask the transport team if you are able to accompany your child. Also, you should consider how you and your child will get home once you are discharged from the hospital.Yes, in most cases we can take one parent with us, regardless of the mode of transport. In cases where we are transporting your child via helicopter or airplane, the ultimate decision on parents riding with us lies with the pilot. Make sure that you ask the transport team if you are able to accompany your child. Also, you should consider how you and your child will get home once you are discharged from the hospital.
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Should I go home and get mine or my child’s things before they are transported to Dell Children’s?We request that you stay with your child until the transport team arrives. If you are planning on accompanying your child back to Dell Children’s with the transport team, please have a friend or family member bring any personal items, if possible. The space available is very limited, particularly in the helicopter or airplane, and you will be limited to a small duffle bag and purse on board.
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Why do all the nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors ask the same questions?One of the ways we ensure that we are making a complete assessment of your child is to have you give us a firsthand account of your child’s illness or injury. We ask many of the same questions so that we have a “check system” to make sure that we are aware of any issues related to your child. If we do not ask something that you feel is important, please let us know.
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What if my child suddenly gets worse while on the way to Dell Children’s? How will my doctor know?Any change in your child’s condition, big or small, will be communicated to your child’s care team either on the way or once we arrive at Dell Children’s. For critical patients, the transport team is in constant contact with a pediatric or neonatal intensive care unit doctor. We have specialized training that allows us to start many therapies while on the way to stabilize your child’s condition.
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Once at Dell Children’s, how will I know where my child is?If you accompany your child with the transport team, you will follow them to your child’s room. If you drive to the hospital separately, the team will tell you the unit and room number that your child will be admitted to prior to the team leaving with your child.