Air Kids Neonatal & Pediatric Transport Services

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is home to the only dedicated neonatal and pediatric transport program in the state. We understand that every second counts when it comes to pediatric medical emergencies.

Serving the entire state of Oklahoma and the greater region, we transport patients from premature newborns born as early as 22 weeks gestation up to 16 years old. Our team is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and we respond by dedicated ground ambulance, helicopter and planes.

Using specialized equipment and a team of highly trained professionals, our program is designed to bridge the gap between initial stabilization and specialized neonatal and pediatric critical care treatment, ensuring that neonatal and pediatric patients receive uninterrupted, high-quality care throughout their journey.

Our Transportation Fleet

Oklahoma Children’s provides air and ground transportation options. The mode of transportation is based on factors including distance, patient condition, weather, and available landing sites. Our fleet includes:

• EC135 helicopter — Provides rapid response across the entire state of Oklahoma
• Fixed wing aircrafts, operated by Pafford Medical (King Air 90 and King Air 200) For longer distances or challenging weather conditions
• Three ambulances, operated by Pafford Medical— Ideal for shorter distances or when air transport is not feasible

Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care (NICU/PICU) Transport

Our specialized transport team is expertly trained and equipped to care for critically ill patients from birth through adolescence. Whether transporting premature newborns or pediatric patients, our team provides seamless, high-level care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

• For neonates, we utilize a neonatal specific isolette to maintain a temperature-controlled environment, along with specialized equipment and medications designed for the tiniest patients.
• For pediatric and adolescent patients, we offer advanced life support and individualized care plans for a wide range of complex medical conditions.

With one cohesive team managing both NICU and PICU transports, we ensure continuity of care and clinical excellence.

Conditions

Our pediatric transport team commonly provides transportation for neonatal and pediatric patients with the following conditions:

• Premature infants (as early as 22 weeks gestation)
• Respiratory distress
• Cardiac arrest
• Pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) care
• Shock
• Congenital heart disease
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Seizures
• Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
• Acute mental status deterioration

Neonatal & Pediatric Specialty Skills:

• Neonatal/Pediatric intubation and airway management
• Advanced respiratory management including HI-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation, and multiple modes of invasive ventilation
• High-frequency ventilation (Neonates only)
• Needle decompression and pneumothorax management
• Intraosseous (IO) placement
• Intravenous (IV) Prostaglandin administration
• Emergency stabilization
• Inhaled Nitric oxide (iNO) therapy
• Delivery attendance
• Therapeutic Hypothermia treatment with active cooling capabilities via TECOtherm®
• Arterial or central venous lines placement

What to Expect When You Call for Transport

OU Health’s acceptance center will place you on a recorded line with a provider from the requested unit and an Oklahoma Children's Hospital team member to arrange the transport.

Our providers will discuss the patient's condition and needs. Our receiving physicians remain available to answer additional questions prior to the team's arrival.

You will be provided with a calculated estimated time of arrival. Upon arrival at the facility, the team will work with your staff to stabilize your patient for transport.

Working closely with our pediatric critical care providers, the team will provide intensive care unit level care during transport to Oklahoma Children's Hospital Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

Our Team

Our pediatric transport team is made up of dedicated professionals, including highly-skilled nurses and paramedics experienced in neonatal intensive care.

They work closely with advanced practice providers, pediatric critical care physicians, pediatric emergency medicine physicians and neonatologists.