Useful Tips for the Using the NPRP Checklist

NPRP Toolkit - Prepare

The NPRP Checklist assists emergency departments in evaluating their preparedness for pediatric care across essential areas. This guide outlines how to prepare for the assessment, which documents to collect, and how to interpret the results. The sections clarify what to expect in each domain of the checklist and offer practical recommendations to ensure accurate scoring and effective planning for improvements.


Before You Begin

  • Form a small team that includes at least one nurse, one physician or APP, and a quality or education representative.
  • Gather your supporting documents, such as annual pediatric census data, policies, competency lists, QI reports, and equipment inventories.
  • Answer honestly. The checklist is a quality improvement tool, not a test. Accurate answers show you where to focus efforts.



Understanding the Checklist Sections

Each section represents a key domain of Pediatric Readiness. Here’s what to know to prepare:


Purpose: Ensures your ED has systems in place to support pediatric care.

  • Identify nurse and physician/APP PECCs.
  • Review pediatric policies and organizational structure.
  • Confirm transfer agreements and disaster plans include children.

Purpose: Assesses staff training, education, and maintenance of pediatric skills.

  • Gather education and certification records (PALS, ENPC, TNCC).
  • Review orientation and ongoing competency processes.
  • Ensure access to pediatric training or simulation.

Purpose: Measures how pediatric care is tracked and improved within your QI framework.

  • Review your QI plan for pediatric metrics.
  • Identify processes for reviewing pediatric cases and sharing feedback.
  • Note existing pediatric performance indicators.

Purpose: Evaluates the availability of written, up-to-date pediatric policies.

  • Review pediatric-specific ED policies: sepsis, trauma, child abuse, sedation, and medication safety.
  • Ensure transfer/transport policies include pediatric patients.
  • Confirm alignment with AAP, ACEP, and ENA guidance.

Purpose: Confirms availability and accessibility of age- and size-appropriate supplies for pediatric care.

  • Conduct an equipment check using NPRP recommended lists.
  • Verify availability, organization, and labeling of pediatric supplies.
  • Ensure weight-based dosing tools are up-to-date and accessible.
  • Review results and identify top priorities.
  • Share findings with ED leadership.
  • Reassess annually to measure improvement.