In the past, critically ill or injured patients have had few options available to them if they required continuity of care from one critical care setting to another while being transported between facilities. With the continued development of advanced and sophisticated therapies and techniques, the medical, nursing and EMS professions have enhanced the ability to monitor and maintain the physiologic requirements of the body in situations of extreme stress, illness, injury and compromise.

We also have the ability to intervene in situations where the patient has suffered severe, life-threatening insults while preventing irreversible damage. We now realize and understand that it is not acceptable to “transport and monitor” extremely sick and injured patients from one facility to another. The primary goal is to offer patients a specialized and unique service to maintain or improve a patient’s condition. In order to meet this demand, it will require sincere commitment and dedication to the development and implementation of a statewide network for those wanting to participate.

Each and every EMS Agency involved must understand the magnitude of such advanced and highly skilled personnel required to maintain a qualified program and to accept and dedicate themselves to the advanced requirements to maintain a superior transport team. Continue reading...