“Pediatric patients are not just small adults. They require entirely different assessment, dosing, communication, and support strategies,” says Doug Mizic, one of the dedicated pediatric and neonatal critical care transport team members for UPMC Children’s in Central Pa.
This article is sponsored by UPMC Children’s in Central Pa.
The transport team is an extension of the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units at UPMC Children’s in Central Pa. They care for newborns needing NICU support and critically ill or injured children requiring pediatric ICU-level care while in transport between hospitals.
Functioning as a mobile intensive care unit, the team cares for patients with respiratory distress, congenital anomalies, cardiac conditions, sepsis, surgical emergencies, and more.
“From the size of the equipment to expertise in developmental and emotional needs, the care is tailored specifically to each child’s age and condition. We also involve families as part of the care team, recognizing that emotional support is just as critical as medical intervention,” he explains.
“My job allows me to be the bridge between crisis and specialized care and to support families during what is often the scariest day of their lives. The work is intense, but it’s also incredibly meaningful. Seeing a child that we transported go on to recover and thrive is the reward that keeps me coming back,” shares Doug.
The team consists of highly trained, pediatric and neonatal-focused providers and nurses. They can evaluate and triage the patient to the appropriate level of care and safely transport patients by ground or air 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
They transfer patients from any of the seven UPMC hospitals and other local hospitals in central Pa. to the pediatric intensive care unit at UPMC Harrisburg when higher-level care is needed.
To learn about all the UPMC Children’s services in central Pa., visit UPMC.com/CPAHospitalPediatrics.
