Providing the best care for critically ill newborns takes a team effort that starts with the initial healthcare provider. When faced with a critically ill newborn, you need to determine the most medically comprehensive and efficient method of transferring the baby to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Data supports the fact that newborns have improved outcomes when transported by specialized transport teams, such as the Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Team.
To access neonatal transport service
Call (800) 336-5465 (MedLink operator). The call will link the referring physician, the Gundersen Lutheran neonatal physician and the ARCC (Admissions/Referral Coordination Center) coordinator. Calls to MedLink AIR dispatch at (800) 527-1200 will reach the neonatal physician through the MedLink operator. Neonatal consultation and transport services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. |
The Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Team is committed to always providing the safest and most appropriate transport method necessary for quality patient care.
Neonatal Transport Service
With one phone call, you will put the Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Service in motion. During your call, you will consult with a Gundersen Lutheran neonatal physician at which time you may discuss:
- The challenges in providing care for the infant at the community hospital.
- Whether or not to transfer the baby.
- The evaluation and stabilization of the baby pending the arrival of the Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Team.
- The mode of transport.
When it is determined transport is necessary, the neonatal transport service is immediately dispatched.
Methods of Transport
Depending on the patient’s need and weather conditions, transport from the community hospital to Gundersen Lutheran may be provided by MedLink AIR or ground ambulance. Both are uniquely equipped with a comprehensive array of monitoring, environmental and ventilator support systems to meet the needs of the most critical infant.
Neonatal Transport Team
Our staff provides specialized and expert care for ill or injured neonates beginning with arrival at your facility and continuing throughout transport and admission to our Level III NICU.
The specially trained neonatal transport team consists of:
- Board certified neonatologists/pediatric critical care physicians
- Neonatal nurse practitioner/neonatal transport nurses/neonatal physician assistant
- NICU respiratory therapist
- Flight nurse or flight paramedic
Once the baby arrives at Gundersen Lutheran, he or she will benefit from the expertise of the staff in one or more of our subspecialties who care for critically ill newborns, including:
- Neonatology/Pediatric Critical Care
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Surgery and Orthopaedics
- Pediatric Hematology
- Radiology
The NICU staff will provide you with feedback and update you on the baby’s progress.
Education and Accreditation
The safe and rapid delivery of care for critically ill newborns begins in your facility. Because the care of these infants is a team effort, we provide specialized education to our regional hospitals on initial newborn resuscitation (NRP) and stabilization for transport (STABLE).
When you contact the Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Service, you can be assured your patient is receiving the best care possible. The Gundersen Lutheran Neonatal Transport Program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS) at a Critical Care/Specialty level.
To arrange a consult or neonatal transport, call (800) 336-5465 (MedLink operator). Calls to MedLink AIR dispatch at (800) 527-1200 will reach the neonatal physician through the MedLink operator. Neonatal consultation and transport services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.