CHOP Emergency Transport Team Treats Thousands Yearly
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands of children are treated at the world renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and there are quite a few that are medevaced by special vehicles.
Medical Director of the Emergency Transport Team at CHOP and Associate Director of the Emergency Department Dr. Nicolas Tsarouhas says each year they personally transport 3 thousand patients.
"We have ground ambulance as well as helicopter. We also have fixed winger commonly known as airplane," Tsarouhas says.
They also coordinate the transport of an additional 5 thousand patients coming in other ways.
"The cornerstone of the team are what we call pre-hospital registered nurses. And they are the team leader and there is a second team member and that second team member could be another nurse, a paramedic, a respiratory therapist or a physician," Tsarouhas says.
That nurse needs to be able to assess and coordinate safe patient care, as transport can take several hours.
Tsarouhas says, "we're always available should the provider feel that they need the help of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia."
