The equipment used in transport must comply with several general characteristics:
• Appropriate for the age group and for the health problems to be managed.
• Lightweight, portable, rugged and easy to clean
• It must be securely fastened in the transport vehicle for patient and equipment safety.
• Tested in transport conditions (temperature, altitude, vibration).
It is essential to have equipment that allows for:
- Complete monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.
- Care of thermoregulation and protection from blows.
- Administration of glucose fluids (enteral or parenteral) and blood glucose measurement.
- Aspiration, to clear the airway and decompress the stomach, portable.
- Administration of a mix of oxygen and air. Operating a respirator during transport requires highly specialized equipment.
- Availability of medications required during transport, depending on the conditions of the patient being transferred. In neonatal transport there are certain drugs, such as prostaglandins and surfactant, that require refrigerated storage. Although infrequently used, they are life-saving drugs, and the expense of keeping stocks is warranted, as transporting children with congenital heart disease or respiratory distress is common. Analgesics, sedatives and other controlled dispensing drugs require specific security measures and documentation. There must be records and inventories; all medications should be replenished, making sure that expired drugs are replaced. Neonatal dosing references and dosage calculation aids are helpful and enhance the safety of neonatal care.
