We often have very unstable babies with PPHN on oscillators, and NO. When they have demonstrated the need we cannulate them for ECMO. We usually cannulate them in the NICU then transport them to PICU, (we dont have the room to run an ECMO case in NICU). It would be desirable to transport them first, but we dont have a way to provide HFV, or HFOV during transport. We can provide NO. This is also a problem during ambulance transport from outlying institutions.

Has anyone found a way to overcome this, or does everyone just drive fast like we do.

Thanks

Mike

It has been awhile since i have done work in the neonatal unit, but and this is only a question why doesnt the NICU have the ECMO set-up there? Isnt it easier to transfer what fewer peds patients to the NICU than transfer the NICU pts to the PICU? Or isnt it possible to admit the PPHN's and other possible ECMO pts to the PICU instead of the NICU?

Mike
At our institution we also have this problem. If we are going to the PICU for cannulation then we just "drive fast". The units are in close proximity to each other so it not been a problem. We have though, had to transport from the OR to the PICU with an Oscillator and NO. We used the battery from our neonatal transport unit to run the Oscillator, ended up looking like a caravan but worked well

If you can get yourself an infant star with flow interuption that will work. Or you can use a jet ventilator. It is tandem and will work with you transport vent.