2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment Coming Soon
- Published November 5, 2025
Overview: The 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project Assessment
The next National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Nationwide Assessment launches in March 2026 at pedsready.org. This nationwide initiative helps emergency departments (EDs) evaluate and improve their ability to care for children in emergencies.
The 2026 NPRP Assessment offers EDs the opportunity to:
- Benchmark against updated national pediatric emergency care standards
- Track progress since the 2021 assessment
- Identify readiness gaps and opportunities for improvement
- Contribute to national research and policy efforts that save children’s lives
The upcoming 2026 assessment is built on soon-to-be-published updated joint standards developed by leading professional organizations representing emergency physicians, pediatricians, nurses, and trauma surgeons.
Why Pediatric Readiness Matters
Studies show that higher Pediatric Readiness Scores are associated with significantly better outcomes for children in emergencies—including lower mortality rates. By participating in the NPRP 2026 Assessment, hospitals and health systems can strengthen their emergency readiness and ensure that every child receives timely, high-quality emergency care.
How to Prepare for the 2026 NPRP Assessment
Start preparing now to optimize your pediatric emergency care readiness:
- Designate Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs) to lead readiness efforts.
- Explore the NPRP Toolkit and Checklist to assess your current preparedness.
- Review updated pediatric emergency care guidelines once published.
- Join the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative (NPRQI) Collaborative, launching in January 2026, for shared learning and support in starting or enhancing pediatric QI in your ED.
- Connect with your state EMSC manager to learn about other opportunities.
For additional preparation resources and downloadable materials, visit pediatricreadiness.org.