Use of the Duotron transporter high frequency ventilator during neonatal transport

In the past, transport of neonates with severe respiratory failure was hampered by the lack of an appropriate transport ventilator capable of providing high frequency ventilation (HFV). This article reports on the experiences of the Intermountain Health Care Life Flight Program in selecting a high frequency ventilator and preparing the transport team members for its use. Once the use of the Duotron ventilator was initiated, pre- and posttransport data were collected for the first 134 neonates requiring HFV on transport. Analysis of the data determined that 96 percent of the infants were successftslly transported using the Duotron ventilator. Inspired oxygen requirements staved the same or improved in the majority of intubated patients for whom comparison data xvere available. Ventilation and acid-base balance improved. Although HFV has been a common therapy in neonatal care for some time, its adoption for use during transport required modification and considerable education for transport team members.