I wasn't armchair quarterbacking. There are certain aspects of critical care which deserves more than just a take my word for things. You don't seem to like to be questioned about specifics so you probably won't like my next few questions.
Is the LTV 1200 your neonatal transport ventilator since you are part of a dedicated neonatal transport team?
Nope. We use the Crossvent 2+ and 2i on our ground and flight isolettes.
Why do you assume ECMO is only for neonates? Adult ECMO is also mobile and is done on CCTs. When you did do ECMO transports since that is what I get from your post, was it only you and the other Paramedic with a driver?
No assumptions here, only speculated perceptions from you my friend. I am well aware of the ECMO process and it's advantages to the various populations. The previous program that I performed ECMO with used a variety of crew configuration dependent on the patient age and team responding. It was usually a Paramedic, an RN or NNP, an RT (if needed), and a perfusionist.
Why do you assume the ICU staff who may have been caring for the patient for several hours or even days will know nothing about the patient and you seem to not want to take any advice from them? The "its my patient now" stuff may work in the field but you will find that the ICU staff might just provide some useful information. Also, the ICU physician can intervene and call for a different truck or put his staff on the truck if he or she feels you are not competent which also includes acting like a jerk in their ICU.
Again, no assumptions here. The reality at the end of the day is when you service over 40 tertiary medical facilities with ICU's, there usually is not a continuity of understanding of the transport crew's equipment, especially when it comes to agency and per diem RN's that may only have limited familiarity with that location. While the transport crews do try to educate, you are talking a huge educational learning curve. 40+ hospitals, hundreds of EMS agencies, 5 different air medical agencies, 3 medical schools, and an ungodly number of staffing agencies quickly equates to a potential problem without communication and accountability.
I really believe you are splitting hairs on this topic as I am only making the assertion that I check and double check all of my diagnostic and intervention equipment. There is a reason why I have the exposure and experienced gained over the last decade in critical care medicine. Part of it is opportunity, but a lot is collaboration and trust. Here in Houston, there is a level of trust, faith, organization, experience, education, and professionalism among several high class agencies. I realize that is not the case nationwide and not something that is experienced by all ICU staff in many locations. Perhaps it is a unique environment, maybe it's a fluke. I have my opinion, you have yours. It's nothing more than that, why make it into more? Let's agree to disagree and get back on topic to help the OP out with his original inquiry.
