Prehospital Pediatric Assessment Launches Today!
After four years of preparation and development, the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP) Assessment launches today! The assessment provides EMS and fire-rescue agencies the opportunity to comprehensively evaluate their readiness to provide high-quality care during pediatric emergencies. The assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete. Upon completion, agencies will receive a report detailing their gaps and benchmarking information. Access the survey at https://emspedsready.org/ or help us in our mission to reach over 15,000 EMS and fire-rescue agencies by using our promotional materials.
Thank you to everyone involved in launching the assessment, including: PPRP Co-Leads, Kathleen Adelgais, MD, MPH, Rachael Alter, BS, and Kathy Brown, MD | The 30+ members of the PPRP Steering Committee | All 57 EMSC State Partnership Program teams | The EMSC Data Center and EMSC Innovation & Improvement Center!
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EMSC Day is May 22
EMS for Children or EMSC Day, part of National EMS Week, will take place on Wednesday, May 22. The day is an annual opportunity to thank EMS clinicians for their dedication to meeting children's unique health needs and to spotlight the work of the EMSC Program. In celebration of the 2024 theme, “Honoring our past, forging our future,” the EMSC Innovation & Improvement Center will host a webinar, “Prehospital Pediatric Airway Management: The Past, Present, and Future,” May 22 from 5-6:30 pm ET. Speakers will include Marianne Gausche-Hill, MD, FACEP, FAAP, FAEMS, Lorin R. Browne, DO, Joelle Donofrio-Odmann, DO, FAAP, FACEP, FAEMS, and Henry E. Wang, MD, MS. 1.5 hours free CE will be available. Learn more and register.
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Partners advocate for EMSC
A bipartisan, bicameral bill to reauthorize the EMSC Program has been introduced in the House (HR 6960) and in the Senate (S.3765). Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and Emergency Nurses Association hosted Hill Days in April that included EMSC reauthorization among their advocacy priorities. The American College of Surgeons and American Hospital Association also published news pieces highlighting their support of the program. Learn more about reauthorization and EMSC’s impact.
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Children's hospital collaborative opportunity
Join the Pediatric Pandemic Network Disaster Response Collaborative to improve and demonstrate your children’s hospital disaster response capabilities and capacities! This two-year collaborative starts in September 2024 and aims to build on the infrastructure achieved by children’s hospitals during the Disaster Networking Collaborative. Ultimately, the goal is to improve coordination in pediatric disaster response in specific focus areas, including evacuation; pediatric patient tracking and family reunification; surge capacity; and triage, infection control, and decontamination. Monthly, 90-minute virtual sessions will provide educational information, quality improvement strategies, consensus-driven approaches, and opportunities and guidance to test out achievements through tabletop exercises and drills. Register now.
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PECARN research makes headlines
Two studies out of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) have been making headlines the past few weeks. “Pediatric mental health emergency department visits from 2017 to 2022: A multicenter study,” published April 2 in Academic Emergency Medicine, found emergency department visits for children and teens increased for certain severe mental health conditions – and for girls – during the pandemic. The research, led by Jennifer Hoffman, MD, MS, was covered in Good Morning America, HealthDay, and other outlets. Another study, published in May by The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, validates intra-abdominal injury and traumatic brain injury prediction rules developed by Nathan Kuppermann, MD, and James Holmes, MD. The work was highlighted in MedicalXpress. Learn more about PECARN here.
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Recognition Program Collaborative hits halfway point
Since last September, 46 EMSC State Partnership Program Managers and their teams have been participating in the Pediatric Readiness Recognition Programs Collaborative, The collaborative aims to support states in developing or enhancing recognition programs for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and emergency departments (EDs). The first half of this collaborative has focused on building consensus on minimum criteria for EDs and EMS agencies. EMSC State Partnership Programs can decide to adopt or adapt the recommended minimum criteria for their state's program. The goal is to increase program standardization while allowing flexibility for each state’s unique system of care. The collaborative will continue through December 2024. Learn more about recognition programs here.
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FAN work in the field
Featuring members of EMSC’s Family Advisory Network (FAN). Learn more about the FAN.
Name: Jordana Carpenter
State/Territory: Arizona
Jordana Carpenter is instrumental in enhancing pediatric emergency care in Arizona. Her efforts stem from her background in emergency medical services, emergency department care, and personal experience as a mother of a medically complex child, have led to increased participation of professionals in pediatric emergency care conferences.
In October 2023, Jordana spearheaded the creation of the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator Resource Collaborative Project with the Arizona EMSC Program Manager. This initiative, which will launch in 2025, aims to enhance resources for pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) across Arizona by providing tools, training, and support. Her leadership will also streamline resource allocation among PECCs, strengthening emergency services statewide for emergency personnel and families.
In addition to her involvement in recruitment and resource development, Jordana actively participates in groups such as the Pediatric Pandemic Network, Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric-Emergency Management, and the Pediatric Advisory Council for Emergency Services. Her contributions to these organizations, alongside collaborations with organizations like the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, shape programs and practices for pediatric emergency care in her state.
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In memoriam:
The EMSC Program extends its heartfelt condolences to the colleagues, friends and family of Michael "Mike" Frogel, MD, FAAP. Dr. Frogel was a leader in the pediatric disaster preparedness community. His work in disaster mental health, child advocacy, and preventive pediatrics has made a lasting influence.
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Featured resource:
Did you know April was Child Abuse Awareness Month? One in four children in the United States are abused or neglected, and 18% of these children experience physical abuse. EMSC’s Pediatric Education and Advocacy Kit (PEAK) includes new bottom-line recommendations, a simulation kit, podcasts, a learning module, and more. All resources are free and open access. View the resources here.
New Resource Round-up:
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Other Opportunities:
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The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the AAP are accepting nominations for the Pediatric EMS Award to recognize an individual who has demonstrated excellence in providing pediatric EMS care and/or education. Submit by May 20.
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The Lundquist Institute invites paramedics to participate in a research study on a training module on the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. Deadline is June 1.
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Submit a non-CME course proposal for ACEP’s Annual Meeting. Deadline is June 30.
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The Safe Streets and Roads for All FY 2024 Grant Applications are open. This program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, offers grants to support regional, local, and Tribal initiatives aimed at preventing deaths and serious injuries on the nation's roadways. Apply by Aug. 29.
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The AAP Council on Children and Disasters is accepting applications for the position of Manager, Disaster Management Initiatives.
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AAP and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Suicide Prevention Emergency Medicine Clinical ECHO sessions will take place the first Tuesday of each month at 2 pm ET through August. Individuals and teams can register online. There is no charge to participate.
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EMSC Research Highlights:
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Share your story! We're looking for patient and provider stories about children's health care needs in everyday emergencies and disasters. Your story is vital to help us raise awareness about the need to improve outcomes for children. Learn more and share your story here. | |
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Have news, resources, or events to share? Want to make sure a research paper or award recipient is mentioned? Email us!
EMSC grantees are welcomed to repurpose newsletter content.
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The EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award (U07MC37471) totaling $2.5M with 0 percent financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, visit hrsa.gov. | |
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