Emergency departments (EDs) across the country vary widely in how prepared they are to care for children. Research shows that EDs scoring 88 points and higher on the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) assessment have significantly better outcomes. In fact, integrating children into quality improvement (QI) efforts can boost Pediatric Readiness scores by an average of 26 points, dramatically reducing the risk of death for children who present to the ED.

Launching in January 2026, the EMSC National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative (NPRQI) Collaborative, formerly known as the Pediatric Readiness Quality Collaborative (PRQC), will offer a free, structured opportunity to strengthen your ED's Pediatric Readiness and prepare for the 2026 NPRP assessment. Designed especially for small and resource-limited EDs, this collaborative supports teams in using QI to close readiness gaps, improve care delivery, and track progress in real time.