Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program
Operated as a joint partnership between the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and the University of Maryland Medical System, the Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program provides safe, effective and efficient ground and air transportation services for infants and their families.
Download this flyer to learn more about the Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program
Mission Statement
The Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program supports the mission statements of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and University of Maryland Medical System to provide comprehensive care and health care education to the community by:
- Promoting the physical health of the neonate
- Initiating or continuing stabilization of the sick neonate
- Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team in evaluating and making recommendations for treatment
- Acting as an advocate for neonates and their families
- Transporting the infant in the most safe, effective and efficient manner
- Promoting an understanding of neonatal problems and their management throughout the hospital, community and state through outreach education, chart reviews, lectures and workshops
Leadership
Frances J. Northington, M.D.
Co-director
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
Erin Schofield M.D.
Co-director
University of Maryland Medical Center
JoAnn Bernard RN, MS, NNP-BC
Clinical Program Manager
Operations Coordinator
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Nikki Brandon MS, NNP-BC
Clinical Program Manager
Education/Outreach Coordinator
University of Maryland Medical Center
History
The Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program (MRNTP) began over 25 years ago. The first neonatal transport team was developed at City Hospital (Francis Scott Key and now Johns Hopkins Bayview). Through the years, the participation of various hospitals has changed. The participation of Johns Hopkins Children's Center and University of Maryland Medical System dates back to 1981. Oversight for the program was also provided by the state of Maryland via the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems from 1981 to 1996. In 1997, MRNTP became a joint partnership between The Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical System with oversight by the respective hospitals.
The team is staffed by neonatal nurse practitioners/transport nurses and specially trained medics. Each institution provides staff, equipment and additional resources to provide for the function of the team. Hospital staff includes neonatal transport nurses/nurse practitioners and a shared coordinator. The ambulance vendor provides the dedicated emergency medical technician (EMT) staff.
There is a rotating schedule between the hospitals, developed a year in advance. The schedule is completed by the transport nurses/nurse practitioners to ensure equal distribution of weekends, holidays, etc.
MRNTP performs over 700 transports on an annual basis. The program is an essential service for the neonatal community within the state of Maryland for multiple types of transports. Approximately 30 referral hospitals utilize the service. Two specially designed ambulances are dedicated to the team on a 24-hour basis. Each ambulance is capable of transporting up to two neonates simultaneously. The Maryland State Police provide helicopter support for air transports.
As part of our outreach education program, MRNTP offers a multitude of educational/didactic offerings, preceptorship programs and self-paced individual educational programs. Comprehensive multidisciplinary chart reviews are available. Most didactic programs have been approved for continuing education credit for nurses, respiratory therapists and prehospital providers.
Contact Us
This dedicated phone line is answered by the Communication Center at either the Johns Hopkins Children's Center or University of Maryland Medical System.
When you call the Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program at 1-888-540-6767, a transport nurse or nurse practitioner begins the following sequence of events:
- Arbitrates bed
- Consults with neonatologist
- Makes immediate recommendations
- Specifies ground or air
- Departs within 30 minutes