Funding provided by SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.
A new, state-of-the-art virtual intensive care unit on wheels is rolling across Sout
hwest Florida safely transporting newborns and older children to and from Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The new ambulance, funded by SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., is slightly smaller than its predecessor (a 1999 ambulance that was recently retired), and more fuel efficient. A distinct feature of the new addition to the fleet is a ‘power load’ stretcher system, which eliminates physically lifting the stretcher to load it into the ambulance.
The new ambulance is equipped with the latest neonatal equipment and technology and a highly-trained transport team to ensure the highest skill and quality of care while moving children to a higher level of care. All of the equipment is sized for infants and older children, including a ventilator, nasal cannulas and masks, and includes the capability of monitoring invasive blood pressure when needed during transport.
“Having the proper equipment en route to Golisano Children’s Hospital is critical, as seconds count in reducing injury and death to high-risk infants,” says Kathy Bridge-Liles, chief administrative officer for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. “With our fleet of ambulances we are able to immediately administer oxygen and medication and take pre-emptive measures to reduce brain damage and physical and mental disabilities in high-risk infants. Put simply, the ambulances save lives”.
Passengers are welcomed by a whimsical motif inside the ambulance, complete with a painted ‘sky’ overhead. iPads, a DVD player, music, coloring books, PlayDoh, and even rattles for babies, are onboard for the pleasure of passengers during their ride.
Last year, the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida ambulance fleet transported more than 1,300 newborns and children to receive specialized care and life-saving treatment.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is part of Lee Memorial Health System in Lee County, Florida. It is the only acute care children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. The children’s hospital opened in 1994 within HealthPark Medical Center. The name was changed to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in 2012. Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, the primary fund raising entity for Golisano Children’s Hospital, is currently engaged in a major capital campaign to enhance pediatric hospital care in Southwest Florida by raising $100 million to build and equip a new 128-bed children’s hospital on the campus of HealthPark Medical Center. For more info, visit ChildrensHospitalGoal.org
