Hospital-Based Pediatric Emergency Care

High pediatric readiness at EDs is associated with a four-fold lower mortality rate in children.

83% of acutely ill and injured children seek care in general emergency departments (EDs). But these EDs may not necessarily have the specialized resources, training, and processes required to effectively treat children — like specifically sized equipment or protocols for interfacility transfers.

The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Innovation and Improvement Center Hospital-Based Care Domain is dedicated to supporting providers and professionals — whether nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, administrators, or other staff — in improving pediatric emergency care in hospital settings.

The Hospital-Based Care Domain primarily supports the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP), a nationwide initiative to assess and advance improvements in pediatric emergency care. Through data collected by the NPRP, researchers have demonstrated the power of being prepared to care for acutely ill and injured children: high pediatric readiness at EDs is associated with a four-fold lower rate of mortality.

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