Miracles in the Air and on the Road

Miracles in the Air and on the Road

NICU Transport Team Delivers Saskatchewan's Most Precious Cargo

Travelling with a baby involves so much more than a packed suitcase for Saskatchewan’s Neonatal Transport Team. To ensure our province’s tiniest and most vulnerable babies arrive safely to hospital, this remarkable team has one of the most critical tasks in the business of saving lives.

“The responsibility of this team is to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate the stability of a newborn baby throughout an emergency transport,” said Adele Riehl, Manager of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and NICU Transport. “They perform total patient care that allows newborn babies to be safely transported while receiving the essential care they need.”

Small in size but stellar in performance, the team consists of two Registered Nurses, including the Transport Nurse who offers advanced skills. Travelling from communities as far as Stony Rapids and Swift Current, the team transported nearly 180 babies last year, some weighing as little as one pound. From respiratory distress and prematurity to congenital defects, the team transports babies province-wide and also to Edmonton for those who need immediate open-heart surgery.

The team was first out of the gate when baby Harper needed to be transported from Prince Albert to Saskatoon’s NICU. Harper and her twin brother, Knox, were born to first-time parents Lauren and James, but their arrival was more alarming than celebratory. Harper needed immediate CPR after delivery because she was not breathing and her tiny body was placed on a cooling mat to help reduce the risk of brain damage.

Baby Harper in hospital

“We were in complete shock,” said James. “These are our first children so we didn’t know what to expect. I looked at Harper as she was hooked up to machines and I didn’t know if she would pull through. A thousand things run through your mind.”

The fragile moments during Harper’s emergency transport are exactly what this team prepares for. Thankfully, Harper rose above her scary start and returned home to Prince Albert one week later.

Thanks to generous Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation donors, the NICU transport team is equipped with a CritiCool Control Unit that cools a baby’s body temperature to reduce neurological damage. Donations also allow the team to attend the annual Airborne Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Conference.

“Our team is very thankful for the funding support for continuing education for our team members. This helps keep us updated with the newest information and trends in our field of practice,” said Lori Whelan, Neonatal Transport Nurse. “The team recently transitioned to a Registered Nurse/Respiratory Therapist team which is allowing us to provide even more comprehensive coverage for the care of our babies.”

Babies in need of intensive care will soon be transported to the new 48-bed NICU at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. The new NICU will provide private rooms and dedicated sleep space for families who need extra special care for their critically ill or premature baby.

Baby Harper

“Every single action this team takes during transport is vital to keep these vulnerable babies alive,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This team is equipped with caring hearts and knowledge to ensure even the most fragile babies are given the best chance possible to grow and thrive. Thank you to this extraordinary team, and to our generous donors, for providing seamless care to Saskatchewanbabies on-the-go in even the most serious of situations.”

“We are so thankful for the care that Harper received during her transport. It was a scary time as a family but she was in caring hands,” said Lauren. “Our hearts were so full after we brought her home knowing she will be okay and that our twins will be able to grow healthy together.”