Staff and equipment for neonatal transfers

Staff and equipment should be dedicated to undertaking neonatal transport. Vehicle for road transfer

• A dedicated vehicle should be reserved for neonatal transport
• Vehicles to be used for neonatal transport should conform to European Standard EN 1789 (16)
• In addition, vehicles should have
  • Seating for at least three staff/family
  • No-lifting loading & unloading of incubator equipment
  • Supplies of compressed medical gases sufficient for double the longest anticipated transfer.
  • Secure power supply such that medical equipment may be powered from the vehicle without using incubator batteries.
  • Fridge for drugs conservation

Air transport (helicopter or fixed wing)

• Neonatal transport service must have a structured access to air transport service and facilities.

Equipment

• The neonatal equipment used should conform to European Standards EN 13976-1 and EN 13976-2. (18)
• Equipment used for neonatal transport in air ambulances should additionally conform to EN 13718 – Medical vehicles and their equipment. Air ambulances. Requirements for medical devices used in air ambulances. (17)
• Equipment should be configured such that transported infants
  • Are kept in the thermoneutral temperature zone.
  • Receive the necessary respiratory support.
  • Receive the necessary fluid and drug infusions.
  • Have their vital signs monitored appropriately.
  • Who become critically unstable in transit can receive emergency care (airway, breathing, circulation).

Staff for transfer

• For ground transfers the drivers of vehicles should hold relevant training for driving emergency vehicles.
• The clinical team should include nurse, advanced clinical practitioner, doctor or paramedic depending on the clinical needs of the patient. Healthy infant transfers may be conducted by a nurse alone.
• The clinical team should have received neonatal transport-specific training and be supported by continuing education for transport.
• The work of the clinical team should be supported by transport-specific clinical guidelines.
• Where air transport is anticipated all the staff involved should have received air transport training and preparation and this should be refreshed annually.

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