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42 JANUARY 2018 | EMSWORLD.com For More Information Circle 33 on Reader Service Card SPECIAL FOCUS: PEDIATRICS AND AIRWAY MANAGEMENT Hypoxic respiratory failure can manifest from persistent pulmonary hypertension, aspiration syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, sepsis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and congenital car- diac defects. Using this inhaled gas therapy in com- bination with mechanical ventilation and/ or oxygen therapy allows for transport of hypoxic patients who would otherwise be too unstable for transport. Patients suf- fering from marked hypoxia due to a wide variety of diseases (e.g., acute respiratory distress syndrome, overwhelming sepsis, pulmonary hypertension) are also treated with iNO therapy. New Ambulance In November 2017 we added a new trans- port ambulance to our fleet. This ambu- lance has state-of the-art electronic sys- tems for regulation of air and oxygen as well as a dual stretcher system that allows the transport of multiple patients at once. Along with these features, the new ambulance can house and deliver inhaled heliox to patients. This technology will aid the treatment of patients with status asth- maticus refractory to oxygen therapy.Heliox is a mixture of helium and oxygen that works differently than traditional therapy of oxygen and nitrogen. Because helium has a lower density than nitrogen, heliox allows for a more laminar airflow pattern, which permits increased flow rates in the compromised and smaller airways of the asthmatic patient. The team's respiratory therapist is trained in proper use, setup and delivery of these specialized gas therapies. Finally, the neonatal pediatric transport team can transport patients on extracor- poreal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart and lung bypass machine, with its ambulance. The circuit removes carbon dioxide from the blood and oxygenates the blood before returning it to the body. This bypass of the heart and lungs allows the affected organs to heal until the body is ready to be weaned off the treatment. These patients also may require iNO. The larger ambulance accommodates up to six team members, including the phy- sician, perfusionist, registered nurse and respiratory therapist, for the safe trans- port of critically ill pediatric patients who need ECMO. Overall, specialty care teams play a vital role in the world of emergency medi- cal services as an extension of the inten - sive care units and emergency rooms they serve. Advanced therapies, expert knowl- edge, provider experience, and appropri- ate equipment allow such specialty care teams to deliver high-quality care where it's needed most. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Christina Bailey, RRT-NPS, Kevin Fazendin, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, Christopher Hall, MA, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, Sherrie Jones, RRT, C-NPT, Katie Rincon, RRT, and Shari Stewart, RRT-NPS, C-NPT, are members of the neonatal pediatric transport team at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa. Danielle Nelski, BSN, RN, C-NPT, and Babette Bailey, BSN, RN, CCRN, provided editorial guidance for this article. ENHANCED LINE OF SIGHT VIEW Allows for an excellent straight line of sight view with 360 degree maximal illumination. EASY TO USE Provides the ability to intubate the patient when awake in trauma situations. PATENTED LIFESAVING TECHNOLOGY Gives the user the best chance of intubating patients in any situation, in or outside of a hospital. A Simple and Effective Device to Secure the Airway To schedule a demo call: 877-7ADROIT or visit: www.adroitsurgical.com ® DESIGNED FOR EMS AND COMBAT MEDICS You could save a life with a Vie Scope ® NEW