The Maryland Regional Neonatal Transport Program (MRNTP) recently welcomed a new member to their team: a brand-new vehicle, specially equipped with the latest technology to serve infants in the region with serious health needs.

Johns Hopkins neonatologist Frances Northington, co-medical director of the neonatal transport team, describes the vehicle as a “NICU on wheels,” noting, “Our team can perform medical procedures during transit if necessary.”

The transport program has been jointly operated by Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) for the past 30 years.

“The principal mission is to bring babies from the hospital where they are born to where they can receive the care they need,” says Bruce Klein, director of transport services at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Nikki Brandon, a neonatal nurse practitioner at University of Maryland Medical Center, works closely with Klein, Northington, Erin Schofield, co-medical director of MRNTP, from UMMC, and JoAnn Bernard, MRNTP program manager. “Our program covers newborns, infants, premature infants, sick neonates, older infants who require surgical or cardiac specialties, and neurosurgery patients,” says Brandon, who is co-manager for the neonatal transport program.

The University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center are the only two Level IV neonatal care centers in Maryland, meaning they are uniquely equipped to serve the most complex, critically ill newborns.

“The program works on the concept of regionalization,” Klein explains. “Not every hospital is equipped to provide the necessary care for every baby. As one example, pediatric surgeons are based at specialty children’s centers; thus, if need be, a baby must be transported safely from his or her home hospital to where the surgeon who can care for them best is located.”

The new vehicle’s space and configuration is specially designed to accommodate newborns as well as the equipment the team may bring with them, Brandon says. “The truck carries an enclosed isolette designed for temperature regulation for premature infants, and it can carry inhaled nitric oxide as well. Additionally, the transport unit includes ventilators to provide both standard and high-frequency ventilation for babies.”

Brandon adds, “Because we are neonatal-focused, neonatal nurses and neonatal NPs are right there to lead the care for these babies. Sometimes we are starting IVs and administering medications at minuscule doses. EMTs and paramedics are specially trained to operate our new neonatal ambulance, as well as participate in all aspects of the medical care.”

The transport team performs an average of 70 transfers a month throughout Maryland and the surrounding states.

“After the neonate receives care at either Level IV NICU, we are able to transport them back to their home facilities when the baby no longer needs to be in the ICU but still requires a longer time to feed, grow and mature enough to go home,” Brandon says.

Northington says that the new transport vehicle further strengthens a partnership with deep roots that has improved the lives of Maryland families for decades. “This is a Maryland team for Maryland babies. We love what we do, and it is a way for us to extend both Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland far out into the community. This program continues to help us save many very young lives.”