Transport Services

For our 24-hour Physician consultation, referral or Neonatal Transport, please call:

Neonatal Transport toll free Hotline at:

1-800-616-6122

Direct telephone numbers

Newborn Intensive Care Unit 210-358-1593

Labor and Delivery 210-358-1471

Region-wide transport of critically ill neonates has been available for over ten years, with services available 24 hours a day to rapidly transport critically ill newborns. Advanced training and years of experience help us stabilize newborns with life-threatening conditions to ensure the best outcome. All of our Neonatologists are board-certified in Pediatrics and sub-board certified in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

Our neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) is one the largest and most respected neonatal units in the region, with 32 intensive care beds and 24 intermediate care beds. 

The Transport Team - Emergency Medical Transport 24 Hours a Day
The transport team is a multidisciplinary effort that includes, Level III Neonatal Nurses and Registered Respiratory Therapists.  For mechanically ventilated and/or critically ill neonates, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Fellow, or Neonatologist will accompany the NICU nurse and Respiratory Therapist. The Neonatal transport team is under constant direction from the transport medical director as well as board-certified Neonatologists.

Special transport incubators are equipped with the latest technology including High Frequency and Conventional Ventilators, Nitric Oxide transport, and cardiorespiratory monitors.

Helicopter, fixed wing or ambulance carriers enable the Neonatal Transport Team at University Health System to respond rapidly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With San Antonio AirLife based at University Hospital, the Neonatal Transport Team provides the quickest, safest route from local community hospitals throughout South Texas to University Hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  Carriers specifically designed for medical transport can accommodate up to two isolettes or one stretcher.

Neonatal Transport Process
When considering a transfer, simply call our toll free transport hot line. The hot line provides quick access to a doctor who reviews your patient's symptoms, medical history, and current condition. Sometimes, just a second opinion can help, and it is not necessary to transfer the patient.  But, if the patient does require a specialized transport team, a Neonatologist is available for phone consultation while the team is en route to the hospital.

If you are a physician faced with an infant who would benefit from neonatal intensive care, here is how to start the transport process:

1. Call the Neonatal Transport Hotline at (800) 616-6122 or (210) 358-1593.
2. When the phone is answered, state if you are calling to arrange a neonatal transport or a consult and provide your name, location, and phone number.
3. A neonatologist will return your call; our goal is to respond to your calls within five minutes.
4. After the neonatologist has accepted the transfer, please inform your administrative staff to contact our Transfer Center (210) 358-2500.
5. The neonatologist is available for medical management questions prior to and during the transport.

Communication with Referring Physicians
Our neonatologist will contact the referring physician with the infant's status once the infant has arrived and been stabilized in the NICU.

NICU physicians will continue to update the referring physician throughout the infant's stay in preparation for discharge or return transfer to the referring hospital and physician.

Attendance at Deliveries
In an effort to aid you in improving perinatal outcomes, a unique feature of this transport team is their availability to attend and assist with deliveries.  Should your obstetrical patient present or advance too far progressed for transport, our neonatal team will assist with delivery, stabilize as needed, and transport the infant.

Return Transport
We recognize the need of your patients to be close to home and family.  Therefore, our transport team offers return transport for patients by ambulance or air, depending on the baby's condition.

Education and Outreach
Through our Outreach Educational Program we are building a network of exceptional newborn care provisions throughout South Texas.  If any educational needs arise such as but not limited to NRP or S.T.A.B.L.E., please don’t hesitate to contact us at 210-358-1155.

What to Expect
Upon arrival, the transport team assesses the patient’s current condition and begins stabilization procedures immediately.  This may include drawing blood, starting an IV, and intubating the patient. The patient will be stabilized as quickly as possible in preparation for transfer.

Before leaving the hospital, the transport team will briefly visit with the infant's parents. The transport team will explain what they are doing, how the infant is being transferred, and allow parents to see and touch the baby.  Understandably, this is a very stressful and emotional time for families, and we make every effort to involve the family and ease their concerns.  Because the team must focus solely on the care of the infant during transport, parents and family members are asked to meet their baby at the hospital. Upon arrival at University Hospital, patients are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

.