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?

The National Pediatric Readiness Assessment (NPRP) 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 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement – Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department. These domains include:

  • 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

National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP)

Plans for information and data dashboard coming soon!

ED Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs)

PECCs are ED team members who ensure the pediatric perspective is included in their EDs. PECCs communicate with EMS agencies and coordinate pediatric quality improvement and education. Wisconsin EMSC is committed to increasing the number of PECCs in the state.

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 80 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

Pediatric Readiness: Quality Care, Closer to Home

The Wisconsin Pediatric Readiness Program for Community Emergency Departments (Pediatric Readiness Program) is a program created by Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services for Children (WI EMSC) to help Wisconsin’s community EDs be more prepared to treat children. The goal of the Pediatric Readiness Program is to provide greater access to quality, evidence-based, pediatric treatment, to the EDs that serve Wisconsin’s children. With nearly half of Wisconsin’s children living more than an hour away from specialized pediatric EDs, ensuring that all EDs statewide are able to provide children with the best care possible is critical. The Pediatric Readiness Program helps Wisconsin’s children receive better pediatric care closer to home, improving health outcomes for children statewide. This program is funded entirely by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.

Cohort 1 EDs

  • Aspirus – Rhinelander (St. Mary’s)
  • Aurora – Oshkosh
  • Aurora – Summit
  • Froedtert – Menomonee Falls
  • Froedtert – West Bend
  • Grant Regional Health Center
  • HSHS – St. Vincent Hospital
  • Prairie Ridge Health
  • River Falls Area Hospital
  • SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital
  • St. Croix Regional Medical Center
  • Tomah Health

Participating Cohort 2 EDs

  • Aspirus Langlade Hospital
  • Aspirus Wausau Hospital
  • Aurora – BayCare
  • Bellin Memorial Hospital – Green Bay
  • Beloit Memorial Hospital
  • Fort HealthCare
  • Gundersen Tri-County Hospital
  • Indianhead Medical Center
  • Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center
  • Mercyhealth – Janesville
  • ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital
  • Upland Hills Health
  • Western Wisconsin Health

Contact Our Staff

Carissa Brunner, MPH, CLC
Program Leader
Emergency Care
(414) 266-4773
cbrunner@childrenswi.org

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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.

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