Best Practices, Publications & Resources
Fact Sheets
National Pediatric Readiness Hospital Recognition Fact Sheet
This document outlines the importance of a hospital pediatric recognition program and how participation can increase emergency department pediatric readiness scores. Use this fact sheet to help communicate the importance of pediatric recognition programs to your stakeholders.
Medical Recognition Programs Across the Nation
This document gives an overview of pediatric medical recognition programs in several states (program base, key partners, fee structure etc)
What makes a successful FRC Program Flyer
This one-page document details what the 11 states with successful FRC programs have in common as well as provides a short definition of Pediatric Hospital Recognition and why it is important.
Bring the right people to the table. Use this Excel workbook to track stakeholders.
Developed jointly by AAP, ACEP, ENA and the EMSC Program, this document provides key talking points for obtaining buy-in on pediatric readiness.
Slide Decks
Introductory Slides (template)
This slide set can be used to introduce the need for a Facility Recognition to leadership or other important stakeholders.
Examples
Example Pitch Presentation
This slide set was provided by the Connecticut Always Ready for Children program and is an excellent example of how to introduce FRC to stakeholders.
See how to get stakeholders interested in a pediatric medical recognition using this elevator pitch developed by the Connecticut Always Ready for Children program.
Fact Sheets and Documents
Minimum Criteria for a Pediatric Medical Recognition Program
This document provides a consensus-based minimum criteria for a Pediatric Medical Recognition Program based on the Joint policy statement: Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department. (American Academy of Pediatrics; Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine; American College of Emergency Physicians; Pediatric Committee; Emergency Nurses Association Pediatric Committee. Pediatrics. 2009 Oct;124(4):1233-43. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-1807.)
This document provides a short step-by-step guide on how to implement a pediatric medical recognition program.
Here you will find brief biographies on key individuals that are available to assist in developing your program.
Importance of the Pediatric Care Coordinator Role
This one-page document developed by the National Pediatric Readiness Project highlights the need for a PECC.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Physician ED Pediatric Care Coordinator
Roles and Responsibilities of the Nurse ED Pediatric Care Coordinator
Examples
This slide set is used by the Illinois EMSC program to provide education on their recognition program when visiting sites for renewal of their verification status.
This Connecticut Always Ready for Children document details their process for applying for facility recognition in their state as well as defines their levels of pediatric recognition.
Joint Policy Statement – Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department
American Academy of Pediatrics; Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine; American College of Emergency Physicians; Pediatric Committee; Emergency Nurses Association Pediatric Committee. Pediatrics. 2009 Oct;124(4):1233-43. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-1807. Epub 2009 Sep 21.
SENTINEL ARTICLE: This policy statement delineates guidelines and the resources necessary to prepare hospital emergency departments (EDs) to serve pediatric patients. Adoption of these guidelines should facilitate the delivery of emergency care for children of all ages and, when appropriate, timely transfer to a facility with specialized pediatric services
Joint Policy Statement—Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department
Remick K, Gausche-Hill M, Joseph M, et al. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Section on Surgery; American College of Emergency Physicians, Pediatric Committee; Emergency Nurses Association, Pediatric Committee. JPediatrics. 2018 Nov;142(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2459
Pediatric Readiness and Facility Verification.
Remick K, Kaji AH, Olson L, Ely M, Schmuhl P, McGrath N, Edgerton E, Gausche-Hill M. Ann Emerg Med. 2016 Mar;67(3):320-328.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.07.500. Epub 2015 Aug 29.
This article reports on the first comprehensive statewide assessment of "pediatric readiness" in EDs according to the 2009 "Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department." The presence of a pediatric readiness verification process, pediatric emergency care coordinator, and quality improvement plan for pediatric emergency care was associated with higher levels of pediatric readiness.
A National Assessment of Pediatric Readiness of Emergency Departments
Gausche-Hill M, Ely M, Schmuhl P, Telford R, Remick KE, Edgerton EA, Olson LM. JAMA Pediatr. 2015 Jun;169(6):527-34. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.138
Objectives: To assess US EDs for pediatric readiness based on compliance with the 2009 guidelines for care of children in EDs; to evaluate the effect of physician/nurse pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) on pediatric readiness; and to identify gaps for future quality initiatives by a national coalition.
Emergency Department Recognition Program for Pediatric Services: Does it Make a Difference
Ball JW, Sanddal ND, Mann NC, Esposito T, Nadkarni M, Wilkins G, Meredith W. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 Sep;30(9):608-12. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000205.
Objective: This study aimed to determine if a pediatric emergency care facility recognition (PECFR) program improved care processes for injured children younger than 15 years.
Rice A, Dudek J, Gross T, St Mars T, Woolridge D.J Emerg Med. 2017 Jun;52(6):894-901. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.02.011. Epub 2017 Mar 22.
This article describes pediatric mortality rates prior to and after implementation of a pediatric emergency facility verification system in Arizona and demonstrates that implementation of the pediatric ED verification system was associated with a trend toward lower mortality.
Smith N, St Mars T, Woolridge D. J Emerg Med. 2016 Aug;51(2):194-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.03.034. Epub 2016 May 31.
In 2012, a voluntary certification program called Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care (PPEC) was established in Arizona as a system for pediatric emergency preparedness. This article reviews the establishment, implementation and sustainability of this program.
A statewide model program to improve emergency department readiness for pediatric care.
Cichon ME, Fuchs S, Lyons E, Leonard D. Ann Emerg Med. 2009 Aug;54(2):198-204. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2008.12.030. Epub 2009 Feb 1.
This article describes the steps involved in implementing Illinois' 3-level facility recognition process to illustrate a model that other states might use to provide appropriate pediatric care and comply with new Health Resources and Services Administration performance measures.
Hohenhaus SM, Lyons E, Phillippi RG. J Emerg Nurs. 2008 Jun;34(3):236-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2007.11.010.
Two states, Illinois and Tennessee, have received funding for EMSC projects for many years. These programs each recognized the need for oversight to ensure that hospital emergency departments were prepared to care for pediatric patients. Utilizing professional standards developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and ENA, each state facilitated multidisciplinary consensus meetings that included consumers to develop facility categorization and approval and recognition programs that recommend, monitor, and applaud best practices for the care of children requiring emergency care.