Aeromedical transport services accepting pediatric patients and their abidance by published guidelines

The number of aeromedical transport services accepting pediatric patients (ATSP) in the United States has increased greatly over the past decade. Most aeromedical transport services are primarily designed for adults but will also transport children. Suggested guidelines for ATSP were published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 1986. This survey of 65 ATSP and their abidance by the major AAP guidelines showed that two thirds of the ATSP were based at facilities with pediatric tertiary care capabilities; most ATSP were not directed by pediatric critical care (PCC) or pediatric emergency care (PEC) specialists; most transport team personnel were not trained in PCC or PEC; most ATSP had specific protocols for different clinical situations; most ATSP had separate equipment appropriate for pediatric patients; and there was little variation in transport team composition based on different clinical situations. In summary, all ATS surveyed transported children, but few were aware of the AAP guidelines, and only one in 65 was in complete abidance with the recommendations.