The EMS Handoff crew is joined by Tim Nowak, AAS, BS, NRP, CCEMTP, SPO, MPO, CADS. Tim is the founder and CEO of Emergency Medical Solutions, LLC, an EMS training and consulting company that he developed in 2010. Through this venture, he is the editor-in-chief of EMS Director magazine, a webinar/app-based continuing education content developer, columnist and blog writer, product developer, instructor and speaker, podcast guest and host, and a social media influencer on LinkedIn.

Tim is also the assistant chief of special operations with a county-wide EMS agency based in Florida, where he oversees the planning and logistics sections, special operations functions and community paramedicine programs for the agency.

This podcast, the EMS Handoff crew is going to review Nowak's article, Training Day: 3 options for safely transporting your pediatric patient.

1. Pediatric transports can be challenging!

Safe versus Not Safe

2. Best practices for pediatric transport in the ambulance

• The “Working Group Best-Practice Recommendations for the Safe Transport of Children in Emergency Ground Ambulances” https://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811677.pdf

3. What is acceptable?

• Start with their own car seat

• 2012 NHTSA document https://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811677.pdf

Where do you place them in the vehicle?

4. Car Restraint Systems

• Inflatable car seats

Cot-secured, adjustable straps

5. Four-point shoulder/ chest restrains

Pad the voids

6. What is not acceptable

No one in the ambulance – parents, caregivers, medics or other passengers should be unrestrained during transport.

7. 4 Safety considerations for Pediatric Transport

• Do tightly secure all monitoring devices and other equipment

Do not allow emergency vehicles to be operated by persons who have not completed an approved driving course.

“The next time you are completing your PCR, take a look at all of the transport options.  Via stretcher leads the pack, but mom holding onto baby…. Well, it is not there for a reason…”