Understanding Pediatric Readiness: Recognition, Accreditation/Verification, and Regulation/Policy
- 10 minutes

This section helps ED teams align Pediatric Readiness efforts with national and state programs. Becoming Pediatric Ready supports meeting criteria for recognition, accreditation, verification, and state policies across four avenues: State Pediatric Readiness Recognition Programs, state regulations, ACEP accreditation, and ACS COT verification.
Why It Matters: Aligning with these programs validates your ED’s Pediatric Readiness and shows commitment to high-quality pediatric care while supporting ongoing improvement efforts.
Key Focus Areas: Learn how recognition, accreditation, verification, and regulatory pathways are structured, what they require, and how they align with Pediatric Readiness guidelines.
Who to Engage: Pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs), ED leadership, quality teams, and state or regional partners.
Getting Started: Explore available programs in your state and nationally, review requirements, and use your NPRP Assessment results to identify gaps and prepare for recognition, accreditation, or verification.
Pediatric Readiness criteria are integrated across recognition programs, national accreditation and verification initiatives, award programs, and state laws and regulations.
Pediatric Readiness Recognition Programs are state- or regionally based opportunities for EDs to demonstrate their level of Pediatric Readiness.
This flyer explains why Pediatric Readiness Recognition matters and how it helps EDs strengthen care for children.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Emergency Department Accreditation Program recognizes EDs that deliver high-quality, evidence-based care, including integration of Pediatric Readiness into clinical practice and systems.
American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) Standard 5.10 requires both pediatric and adult trauma centers to engage with the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) as part of ACS COT trauma center verification.
The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award recognizes EDs demonstrating excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, quality, and research.