Hello From the Otherside! Transport Calls

In this episode of PICU Doc on Call, third-year PICU fellow Dr. Alexandria Edwards joins Drs. Pradip Kamat, Monica Gray, and Rahul Damania for a quick and practical dive into pediatric transport medicine. Dr. Edwards walks us through her go-to framework for handling transport calls, highlighting the importance of systematically checking vitals, respiratory support, the physical exam, labs, and any interventions. The team uses a real-life case of a 12-year-old with severe status asthmaticus to talk through how to pick the right transport mode, why it’s best to avoid intubation if you can, and how to make sure you’re on the same page with the ICU team before the patient arrives. The main message? Build a solid, structured approach to transport calls and practice it every time.Show Highlights:Overview of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) fellowship and trainingImportance of transport medicine in the PICU settingFramework for handling transport calls effectivelyKey considerations for assessing patient stability during transportImportance of vital signs and current patient status in decision-makingStrategies for communicating with referring providersDiscussion of a specific case involving a pediatric patient with asthma exacerbationDecision-making process for mode of transport (ground vs. air)Role of critical care transport teams in patient transferTips for preparing the receiving ICU team for incoming patientsWe welcome your feedback and reviews. Please visit our website at https://picudoconcall.org/, where you can find our episodes.