Ground transport of an infant on high-frequency jet ventilation: a case presentation

High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) was developed to meet the need for adequate ventilation while avoiding the adverse consequences of conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). HFJV can be beneficial to infants who have failed CMV. Some infants may need the additional support of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To be optimally transported to a center that offers this treatment, the infant may need to be ventilated using HFJV. For the transport team, delivery of the infant to the receiving hospital in optimal condition is the goal. The challenges of overcoming the environmental hindrances inherent in transport combine with the challenge of caring for an acutely and critically ill infant. When the infant is transported on HFJV, these challenges are magnified. This article briefly discusses HFJV and examines the preparations and equipment required for transport, as well as special considerations for managing the infant on HFJV during transport.