USA Health Expands Neonatal Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team

 USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Mobile is expanding its Neonatal Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team, now known as Cub Crew, a specialized air and ground service designed to safely bring critically ill newborns and sick and injured children by helicopter or ground-based vehicle to the hospital from across the Gulf Coast. The newly formed team includes specially trained registered nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics, all of whom work in shifts and are onsite and available around the clock. Pediatric helicopter flights are expected to begin in August, with neonatal flights—which will require the use of a transport isolette for infants—are scheduled to start in the fall. To prepare for the transport team expansion, USA Health hired additional staff, including a transport nurse manager, then conducted intensive training sessions beginning in 2024, among other strategies. Transport team members have been cross-trained in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric emergency department. The Cub Crew also completed flight safety training, clinical ride-along and coursework through the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association.