Mercy unveils children’s mobile ICU

Mercy Springfield Communities yesterday unveiled its new mobile intensive care unit for children, made possible by over $310,000 in donations.

The Mercy Kids transport unit is designed to accommodate children from premature babies up to 17 years old. The ambulance has an infant isolette and a regular stretcher, extra insulation to shield passengers from outside road and environmental noises, a multiband radio to ensure good communications statewide and a power system that can operate without the vehicle’s motor running, according to a news release.

“Along with most of the tools of a pediatric ICU, we also have comforts to ease anxiety for our young patients,” said Amber Jacobson, interim supervisor of the Mercy Kids transport team, in the 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.”

Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, which providers volunteer support to the Springfield hospital, contributed $155,000 toward the mobile care unit, with $100,000 coming from John Q. Hammons and $55,000 from the Mercy Pro-Am golf tournament, part of the Price Cutter Charity Championship. Rick’s Automotive also agreed to provide maintenance on the vehicle during its first five years in operation.