Pediatric International Transports: A Single Program's Experience With an Often Difficult Endeavor

Medical transport of an ill or injured child is a complex process that requires a systematic team approach with meticulous anticipation and planning. International transport adds complexity to the process. In this article, we review international transport of the pediatric patient informed by our experience. We discuss the process from initial contact with the referring facility through assumption of care by the transport team. We also address those anticipatory issues that must be planned for before transport as well as some conditions and difficulties that the team may encounter. Finally, we briefly review the physiology of flight medicine.