Pediatric Readiness

What is pediatric readiness?

Pediatric Readiness is the ability to meet the immediate needs of an ill or injured child – no matter where they live or at which point of the emergency medical service continuum, they receive care.

Why does pediatric readiness matter?

Pediatric encounters comprise a smaller portion of EMS calls and community ED visits in most areas of the State. The care of an ill or injured child is considered a low-frequency, high-impact encounter to many pre-hospital and hospital providers. Improving pediatric readiness across the continuum of care is critical. A special focus on supporting and bolstering those agencies, departments and providers who have lower pediatric volumes, and overall pediatric readiness is especially impactful. Robust efforts are made to promote and support pediatric readiness, especially in rural areas of the State, as pediatric encounters become even more infrequent, exacerbating an already low-frequency, high-impact encounter for providers with limited resources. By supporting pediatric readiness efforts across the continuum of care, access to quality pediatric emergency care is enhanced, no matter where a child lives, plays, goes to school or travels or how they encounter emergency medical services.

What is a Pediatric Champion?

A Pediatric Champion may also be known as a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC). They are an individual(s) who is responsible for coordinating pediatric specific activities. A designated individual(s) who coordinates pediatric emergency care need not be dedicated solely to this role; it can be an individual(s) already in place who assumes this role as part of their existing duties.

Updates and Opportunities!

EMS Agencies – Are you interested in learning more about the Safe Transport of Children in Ground Ambulances? Please complete this interest request form

 

Emergency Department & Trauma Program PECCs – the EMS for Children Program has announced that the next Pediatric Readiness Assessment will launch in 2026. To learn more about the assessment and pediatric readiness in the Emergency Department, please visit https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pediatric-readiness-project/

• Consider completing a Peds Ready assessment now, with your Pediatric Readiness team, prior to the launch of the 2026 assessment to check out your strengths and gaps ahead of time! https://www.pedsready.org/
• When completing an assessment, it is most valuable to work as a team of pediatric champions to submit the most accurate data and receive an impactful gap report for both ED and trauma program use!