Selection criteria for pediatric critical care transport teams

The primary goal of an interhospital critical care transport program is to provide quality medical care during transit as close as possible to that available in the receiving ICU. Critically ill pediatric patients are transported between hospitals by a variety of transport teams. The skills possessed by physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and paramedics overlap. To determine the criteria for selection of the team members for these patients, we reviewed the medical records of 115 pediatric patients transported to this facility in 1978 and 1979. Patients were categorized by diagnosis, severity of illness at the time of transport, and the monitoring and life support required during transport. Our data indicate the medical transport team members should have skills required for pediatric critical care diagnosis and management including endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation; insertion of peripheral, central venous, and arterial catheters; fluid and electrolyte therapy; antibiotic therapy; cardiovascular monitoring; and pharmacological life support. The team members should be chosen based on the particular skills needed for a transport with a goal of providing the patient care required on a consistent basis.