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Health news and issues in the Ozarks.

Mercy Unveils New Transport Unit for Youth

Mercy Kids Transport Unit
Submitted photo
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Mercy Springfield

Mercy Springfield is touting a new, more accommodating way of transporting children to a hospital with a higher level of care.

The Mercy Kids Transport Unit features child-sized equipment and advanced treatments that enable service to children from premature babies to 17 years old.

The mobile intensive care unit is unlike a regular ambulance, the hospital says. It can transport an infant-sized or a regular stretcher, and is equipped with extra insulation to eliminate road and environmental noises. It also includes a power system that can operate without the vehicle’s motor running.

“Along with most of the tools of a pediatric ICU, we also have comforts to ease anxiety for our young patients,” said Amber Jacobson, Mercy Kids Transport Team interim supervisor, said in a news release. “We’ve added safe seating so parents can ride in the back with their children, there’s a DVD player to provide a distraction and we have blanket and fluid warmers.”

Referring health care facilities will specifically ask the Mercy Kids Transport Unit to pick up a child by calling the Mercy Kids Connect line at 1-844-MRC-KIDS (672-5437). 

The hospital credits the transport unit to contributions from four donors: Mercy Auxiliary, $155,000; John Q. Hammons, $100,000; and Mercy ProAm $55,000. In addition, officials say Rick Hughlett of Rick’s Automotive has agreed to provide the maintenance for the vehicle for the first five years.