Pediatric Transport
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- Explain how to appropriately secure a child safety restraint to a wheeled ambulance stretcher
- Differentiate between the NHTSA recommendations for safe ambulance transport of children based on the condition of the child
- Discuss the on-going initiatives to increase the safety of children during ambulance transport
- Discuss the limitations of the current recommendations
LESSON CONTENT
I. Explain guiding principles of safely transporting pediatric patients
a. All ambulances should have seats and restraints appropriate for securing children from newborn on up
b. All Child seats/restraints in ambulances should be tested to FMVSS 213 ATD injury criteria using the pulse criteria from J3026
c. Child seats/restraints should only be attached to cots, cot mounts and restraints that have been tested and comply with standards of J3027
d. Child seats/restraints should only be attached to seating positions that pass the appropriate standard when tested as a system together
e. A child passenger, especially a newborn, must never be transported on an adult’s lap.
f. It is NOT appropriate to transport children, even in a child restraint system, on the multi-occupant squad bench located in the patient compartment of ground ambulances
II. Differentiate between the NHTSA recommendations for safe ambulance transport of children based on the condition of the child
a. Situation 1: For a child who is uninjured/not ill (child who is accompanying an injured or ill patient)
i. Transport the child in a vehicle other than an emergency ground ambulance
ii. When other transportation not possible/available
1. Transport in a size-appropriate child restraint system that complies with FMVSS NO. 213, installed appropriately in the front passenger seat, with airbags in the “off” position; or
2. Transport in the forward-facing EMS provider seat/captain’s chair in a size appropriate child restraint system that complies with FMVSS NO. 213; or
3. Transport in the rear-facing EMS provider seat/captain’s chair in a size-appropriate child restraint system that complies with FMVSS No. 213; or
4. Leave the uninjured/not ill child under appropriate adult supervision on scene
b. Situation 2: For a child who is ill and/or injured and whose condition does not require continuous and/or intensive medical monitoring and/or interventions
i. Appropriately secure and transport the child on the cot in a size-appropriate child restraint system that complies with the injury criteria of FMVSS No. 213
c. Situation 3 For a child whose condition requires continuous and/or intensive medical monitoring and/or interventions
Content Creator: Madison Browning
CAPCE Course Number: 21-EMTP-F3-4312
NJ Course Number: 145915
Total CE Hours: 1.0
Level: Basic
EMT-CE uses the NEMSES guidelines as the foundation for every course outline.
