Children account for at least 27 million ED visits each year. But most EDs see relatively few children compared to adults, meaning clinicians don’t get the same exposure to and experience with managing their care–resulting in gaps.
The National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) helps EDs prepare themselves with the systems, policies, equipment, and training needed to deliver safe, timely, high-quality pediatric care.
Pediatric Readiness is measurable, achievable, and strongly linked to better outcomes.
- High Pediatric Readiness in EDs (i.e. scoring >87 out of a 100 on the National Pediatric Readiness Project Assessment) is associated with up to 76% lower mortality risk for critically ill children and 60% lower mortality risk for critically injured children.
- The mortality benefit persists out to one year after the initial ED visit.
- National modeling indicates that if all U.S. EDs achieved high readiness, more than one quarter of pediatric emergency deaths could be prevented—an estimated 2,100 or more children’s lives saved each year.
- Many high-impact readiness elements require modest investment, like designating existing staff as nurse and physician pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) or ensuring the availability of pediatric-sized equipment.
- Economic analyses show achieving high levels of Pediatric Readiness costs $4–$48 per pediatric patient, depending on ED volume, delivering major outcome gains at low cost.
- Participating in the NPRP Assessment provides each ED an individualized score, benchmarking information, and confidential gap report with clear opportunities for improvement.
- Sites can track progress, benchmark nationally, and use data to support budgets, staffing requests, and accreditation or verification efforts.
- States and national organizations can use aggregate findings to strengthen pediatric emergency care planning and resource allocation.
NPRP participation directly aligns with criteria for national and state programs, such as:
- State Pediatric Readiness Recognition Programs: EDs can be verified and publicly recognized for their Pediatric Readiness achievements by state EMSC programs.
- State regulations: Several states incorporate Pediatric Readiness elements into state trauma regulations.
- American College of Surgeons Trauma Center Verification: ACS’s trauma standards require participation in the NPRP Assessment.
- American College of Emergency Physicians ED Accreditation: ACEP’s accreditation program requires participation in the NPRP Assessment.
- NPRP is led by the federal EMSC Program in collaboration with multidisciplinary organizations representing emergency medicine, pediatric care, and surgical trauma.
- All NPRP resources and tools are based on the latest evidence and national consensus.
- EDs gain access to vetted tools, clinical resources, operational checklists, and best practices that support sustainable improvement.
Pediatric Readiness Success Stories
How a small rural hospital is making a big difference for children
