Re: stable neonate transports

[Doug Gadomski <gadomski@unm.edu>]

I've been watching this thread closely and since it strikes so close to home I finally felt somewhat
compelled to comment. Just for the record, I've been flying neonates (stable to critical) as a paramedic
in New Mexico (Albuquerque) for 14 years. The neonatal transport team does currently hire paramedics for
full time, active positions and they contribute as much as anyone else on the team. The program provides
initial training for all their people (regardless of their initials...) and requires a specified amount
of OJT in a supervised capacity. Over the years, I've seen many "experienced" paramedics, neonatal
nurses, and neonatal nurse practitioners suddenly flounder when taken out of their "normal" environment
and placed in this very specialized transport realm. A few take to it like a duck to water, others may
take varying lengths of  time to become truly functional doing transport. Some never do. I don't want to
understate the many nuances involved in transporting/caring for neonates, but the question may not be so
much one of  previous experience or the initials following your name as it is about the right attitude.
Sometimes that means throwing your ego out the window, knowing what you don't know (and subsequently
learning it), and not being afraid to ask for help. Granted, some requisite experience is necessary
(that's where the training comes in...) to assure a certain competence in care (but as we know, that's
not necessarily a guarantee) and you MUST have the proper equipment. Let's face it though, even the most
senior among us at some point started our career paths without the benefit of much "previous experience."
Amazing as it may seem, we all were taught, learned a trick or two along the way (even more doing
hands-on care), and became the fine professionals we are today.... Can a medic safely transport stable
neonates? If I'm any example, the answer is simply yes. Anyone given the proper training and a chance to
do the job may also do so.

Doug Gadomski
Flight Medic

Open your mind, your eyes will soon follow...



Robert Cole wrote:

> Side note: what would it take to allow a paramedic to function as a fully
> active member of a neonatal team?  I know that there are very few dedicated
> neonatal teams which use paramedics (not teams that do CCT and happen to do
> a few neonatal as well by default) I certainly have never heard of any, but
> I'm sure there is one somewhere...but what would it take?
> Is this similar to what would be required of an RT? Or a "new" nurse (new
> meaning new to NICU, not fresh out of school)  Are there any programs that
> have credentialing process or do most say NICU experience and anecdotal
> references are good enough? And if that's the case, why?
> Just food for thought...
> What are the thoughts on the potential contributions of having a medic on
> the team (not as a driver!!!)?
> I'm talking philosophical thoughts



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