Our NICU transport program is equipped with state-of-the-art transport technology designed exclusively for neonatal care, including temperature-controlled incubators, advanced respiratory support and monitoring systems to create a mobile NICU.
Infants with health emergencies are at risk of developing unique complications or deteriorating conditions due to:
- Communication challenges
- Transportation delays
- Lack of specialized neonatal care
Our NICU Transport Team
The OSF Children's Hospital NICU transport team includes highly trained NICU nurses, respiratory therapists and neonatal nurse practitioners.
Each team member is skilled in providing advanced critical care during transport, having undergone specialized training in neonatal resuscitation and intensive stabilization techniques. With years of experience in handling delicate neonatal cases, our team ensures seamless, high-quality care from the moment a referral is made to the arrival at our NICU.
Program Coverage Radius
Our NICU is part of the North Central Illinois Perinatal Network, providing specialized care to critically ill newborns across the region. We serve the following counties:
- Bureau
- Champaign
- Ford
- Fulton
- Hancock
- Henderson
- Henry
- Iroquois
- Knox
- LaSalle
- Livingston
- Macon
- McDonough
- McLean
- Marshall
- Mercer
- Peoria
- Putnam
- Rock Island
- Schuyler
- Stark
- Tazewell
- Vermilion
- Warren
- Woodford
This network ensures that newborns in need receive expert care close to home.
Who to Refer
The NICU transport program at OSF Children’s Hospital is designed to support referrals of critically ill newborns and babies with urgent or complex medical needs.
Conditions commonly referred to our NICU transport team include:
- Congenital abnormalities
- Other serious neonatal health challenges
- Respiratory distress
- Severe infections
Our team coordinates closely with referring providers to provide individualized transport solutions, helping ensure every baby receives appropriate and timely care upon arrival.
How to Refer
Providers can connect with our transport team 24/7 via our dedicated referral line or online referral portal.
Two ways to refer your patient:
- Call 1-833-GET-NICU (1-833-438-6428)
- In OSF Epic, use REFADT21
Required patient info:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Medical record number (if transfer within OSF)
- Weight
Once contacted, our team promptly organizes all logistics, communicating closely with the referring facility to ensure all critical information is shared and the patient’s transport is smooth and efficient.
Program Distinctions
Your child’s safety and well-being are at the heart of everything we do. Our specialized equipment helps create a stable environment, even for the most delicate babies. From the moment your child arrives, our team collaborates closely with our NICU to ensure seamless and continuous care.
OSF Children’s Hospital is recognized with these recognitions:
- Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Providing advanced care for newborns with the most complex needs
- Most Comprehensive Downstate Perinatal Center: Offering a full range of maternal and neonatal services
- ELSO Center of Excellence: Acknowledged for our expertise in using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), supporting critical care