Respiratory care clinics of North America
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Respir Care Clin N Am · Mar 2002
ReviewTraining for the transport of mechanically ventilated patients.
The transport of critically ill patients is hazardous, yet necessary. In these conditions monitoring may be challenging, and the ability to intervene when problems arise is often limited. Conducting safe transport of these patients has been shown to be possible when experienced personnel apply their knowledge appropriately. ⋯ This article proposes that formal training of transport teams be strongly considered at the institutional level, and it introduces the content and method of delivery of this training. Because these are expressed opinions, the concept should be explored and validated by an interventional study, establishing a baseline of transport complications in a given facility, implementing some form of training, and reevaluating the performance of the trained providers in the same institution. A significant reduction in complications would validate the time, effort, and expense of developing such a course and would provide a model for other institutions to follow.
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Although the primary focus of this article is on interhospital transport, some of the same basic transport principles and management techniques apply to intrahospital transport. The level of care provided during interhospital and intrahospital transport should be based on the neonate's diagnosis, clinical status, anticipated problems, and local, state, and national standards and regulations. ⋯ Planning and anticipation of problems are essential, as is care of the family. The transport team should evaluate each neonate's individual response to the transport.