Lecture 6

Question 1

Why are transport incubators needed?

Answer 1

Maintain a stable environment during hospital transfers

Question 2

How many patient transfers does the Scottish neonatal transport service make each year?

Answer 2

1200

Question 3

what members make up the transfer team?

Answer 3

Ambulances and crews from the Scottish ambulance service (SAS)

Question 4

Why are standard incubators unsuitable for use for transport?

Answer 4

Their batteries are not designed for it
Functionality may be excessive such a blue light
They are not built to maintain activity over long periods of time, they must be plugged in. They reply only temporarily a battery power
They require emergency power sources to keep it running properly, but there may be a delay in these systems

Question 5

what are the key functionalities for design considerations?

Answer 5

Minimum functionality
Heating and humidity
Same provision and function as for standard incubators
Similar ranges available
Similar controls (skin temperature), alarms and safety systems

Note that the environment is harder to control - transfer outside to ambulance/aircraft, ambient vehicle temperature

Minimum power supply - in the UK, able to provide 230V mains A/C and 12/24V DC power provided in the ambulance

Battery life of the power supply - very variable by make and model

2-4 hours claimed for a single battery

Many manufacturers off an option of a dual battery pack, doubling battery

Full functionality generally requires use of manufacturers proprietary batter