Emergency Department Readiness
Emergency Department Readiness
Most sick and injured children seek initial emergency care at the community emergency department (ED) in closest proximity to where they live. It is critical that all EDs have the appropriate resources, capacity, and trained staff to provide effective emergency care for children. Is your department pediatric ready?
National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment
The National Pediatric Readiness Program (NPRP) assessment is a tool your ED can use to measure your level of pediatric readiness and to aid in identifying gaps that may exist in your preparation to provide pediatric emergency care. The assessment addresses essential domains of preparedness identified by the 2026 policy statement: 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement – Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department.
- Administration and Coordination of Care of Children
- Physicians, Nurses and Other ED Staff
- Quality Improvement
- Pediatric Patient Safety in the ED
- Policies and Procedures
- Equipment and Supplies Management
Resources to help you prepare
Who’s participated?
Emergency Department Resource Hub
Visit our Emergency Department Resource Hub. This is a one-stop resource for Wisconsin teams working to improve emergency care for kids. Find practical tools, templates, education and up-to-date guidance to help every child get the best care when it matters most.
Emergency Department Pediatric Recognition
Wisconsin EMS for Children (WI EMSC) has designed the Emergency Department Pediatric Recognition program to identify Wisconsin emergency departments (EDs) that meet the guidelines in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Policy Statement, Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department. In order to receive Emergency Department Pediatric Recognition, an ED needs to meet the following requirements:
- Administrator support letter
- Disaster plan which addresses pediatric patients, and includes the seven components identified in the Pediatric Readiness Assessment
- Minimum score of 88 out of 100 on the Pediatric Readiness Assessment
- Nurse Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator
- Physician Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator
- Record pediatric patients’ weights in kilograms only
- Weigh pediatric patients in kilograms only
- Written pediatric interfacility transfer guidelines, which include the eight components identified in the Pediatric Readiness Assessment
- Written pediatric interfacility transfer agreements
2026 Facility Map
Contact Our Staff
Carissa Brunner, MPH, CLC
Program Leader
Emergency Care
(414) 266-4773
cbrunner@childrenswi.org
Anna VerKuilen, MPH
Program Manager
Emergency Care
(414) 337-5892
averkuilen@childrenswi.org
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A quarterly newsletter highlighting pediatric emergency care news and events.
Emergency Medical Services for Children is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, through the National Emergency Medical Services for Children program, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
