Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS): Information for Families
The Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) provides 24-hour medical advice, stabilization and inter-hospital transport for critically ill and injured newborns and children. On this page you'll find information for families whose child is transported to or from SickKids. If you're a health-care provider, visit the ACTS page.
What to expect on transport
Why your child may need transport:
- If your child needs medical transport, it means they must be safely moved from one hospital to another. This is done by a specially trained team using a land ambulance or air ambulance.
- Your child is usually transported because they need care that is not available at the current hospital.
Pre-transport coordination:
- Your child’s care team will contact the SickKids ACTS team. They will explain your child’s condition and work together to plan the transport.
- Your care team should explain why your child needs to be transferred.
The ACTS team:
- A team of two ACTS team members will arrive to safely transport your child. Team members are Registered Nurses (RNs) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) with extra training in caring for sick babies and children during transport.
- They bring special equipment and medicines to care for your child before and during transport. They are supported by doctors from SickKids.
- The team will provide updates, share information about your child’s condition, and ensure your child is safely prepared for transport.
- The ACTS team works with Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) and other transport partners to provide safe transport.
During the transport:
- Your child will be safely secured in an isolette (for babies) or on a stretcher during the transport. They will continue to receive medical care on the way.
- A caregiver may be able to travel with the team. This depends on the space and the situation. Please think about motion sickness if you are joining the transport.
Arrival and handover:
- When you arrive at the destination hospital, the ACTS team will give a full report to the receiving team. This includes your child’s condition and care given during transport.
- Every hospital unit has different policies about visiting and staying with your child. You will be updated and guided on the next steps.
How you can help:
- Bring or ask someone to bring essentials: comfort items, important documents, medications, phone charger.
- Keep your phone nearby so staff can reach you.
- If you breastfeed: you may hand express or pump milk.
- Ask questions at any time. The priorities of transport are to provide care to stabilize your child and safely bring them to the medical care they need.
SickKids is in downtown Toronto on University Avenue, between Gerrard Street and Elm Street. The main entrance is at 170 Elizabeth Street.
Parking is available under the hospital. The garage entrance is on Elm Street.
Family Presence & Visiting a Patient
See our current guidelines for family presence and patient visits, including policies and what not to bring.
Main Floor, Atrium (next to Starbucks)
The Emergency Department is located on the Main Floor of the Atrium, near the 170 Elizabeth Street hospital doors and Main Information Desk.
2nd Floor Atrium
Take the yellow Atrium elevators to Level 2. Turn towards signs for "Critical Care Unit". Follow blue wall arrows for the "Critical Care Reception" to use the wall intercom to buzz in. The CCU includes both the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Cardiac Critical Care Unit (CCCU).
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
3rd Floor, Atrium
Take the yellow Atrium elevators to Level 3. Turn towards signs for "NICU". Follow blue wall arrows and blue baby signs, then use the wall intercom to buzz in.
What to expect on transport (PDF) (Coming soon!)
Transport to another facility
Your child may be transported to another health care facility to receive the level of care they need. The ACTS team will continue providing care until arrival at the destination hospital. Common transfer destinations include other intensive care units, paediatric wards and nurseries.
Learn more about your child’s illness and treatment
AboutKidsHealth is a health education resource for children, youth and caregivers that is approved by health-care providers at SickKids.
Acute Care Transport Service (ACTS) Team: A transport team of two specially trained staff who safely transports your child. Team members are Registered Nurses (RNs) or Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) with extra training in caring for sick babies and children during transport.
The team may include:
- Transport Associate and Clinician in Training: Team members who are training and working under supervision
- Transport Clinician: Team members who are fully trained to care for sick babies and children during transport
- Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS): Paramedics who work with the ACTS team to help with transport and safety
Most Responsible Physician (MRP)/Attending Staff: The doctor in charge of your child’s care. They supervise the ACTS team and doctors in training.
Types of attending doctors
Neonatologist: a doctor with special training who cares for sick babies in the NICU
Pediatric intensivist: a doctor with special training who cares for very sick or injured children in the CCU
Subspecialist: a doctor with extra training in a specific area such as:
- Brain doctors: Neurologists
- Heart doctors: Cardiologists
- Surgeons for children: General surgeons or cardiovascular surgeons
Fellow: A doctor who has completed general training and is learning a specialty under supervision of attending staff physicians
Resident: A doctor in training who works under the supervision of fellows and attending staff physicians
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): The NICU cares for sick babies who need close monitoring and special care
Critical Care Unit (CCU): Includes the PICU and CCCU. The CCU cares for very sick children who need close monitoring and special care
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): The PICU cares for very sick or injured children
- Cardiac Critical Care Unit (CCCU): The CCCU cares for children with serious heart problems
Emergency Department (ED): The ED helps children who need urgent or emergency medical care
Pediatric wards: Units for children who need hospital care but do not need intensive care. SickKids has different specialty wards for different needs
How do I share feedback about my experience with the ACTS team?
ACTS Family/Caregiver Feedback Survey is coming soon. Please direct feedback or concerns to ACTS Senior Manager, Kristie Newton kristie.newton@sickkids.ca.