Neonatal transport ground ambulance: the Italian perspective toward a European consensus
1Department Mother & Child, Neonatal Emergency Transport Service, IRCCS Istituto Gaslini, Genova, Italy. carlobellini@gaslini.org.
None:
The European Union (EU) has established EN 1789:2020 + A1:2023 standards for ground ambulances, categorizing them into types A1, A2, B, and C. Type C ambulances are designated for adult intensive care. However, there are no comparable specifications for neonatal ambulances, despite existing standards for neonatal transport incubators (EN 13976-1 and EN 13976-2). This regulatory gap causes confusion and inconsistency because neonatal emergency transport services (NETS) must rely on adult ambulances that are only partially adapted for newborns. These vehicles often lack essential neonatal capabilities, such as reliable access to nitric oxide administration or active cooling systems. Consequently, there is a persistent discrepancy between the advanced technologies available in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and the limited resources available during transport, which can compromise care quality. Certification processes further complicate the issue since approval systems are oriented toward adult specifications, creating barriers for neonatal-specific designs. Drawing on the Italian experience, which illustrates the challenges of adapting adult ambulances and the urgent need for solutions focused on neonates, this article emphasizes the importance of achieving a harmonized European consensus. Creating clear, standardized requirements for neonatal ambulances is a critical step in ensuring safe, effective, and equitable neonatal transport across Europe.
Conclusion:
Drawing on the Italian experience, which illustrates the challenges of adapting adult ambulances and the urgent need for solutions focused on neonates,this article emphasizes the importance of achieving a harmonized European consensus. Creating clear, standardized requirementsfor neonatal ambulances is a critical step in ensuring safe, effective, and equitable neonatal transport across Europe.
What Is Known:
• The European Community establishes specific standards for the construction of land ambulances.
What Is New:
• This article analyzes the European situation regarding land ambulances for neonatal transport.
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