EMSC out and about: Advancing pediatric trauma care at ACS TQIP

EMSC took center stage at the 2024 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) Annual Conference in Denver, held from Nov. 12–14. EMSC experts played a key role in two different sessions during the conference, highlighting the importance of Pediatric Readiness and collaboration in trauma care.

In the TQIP Mortality Reporting System session, Julie Valenzuela, MD, presented “Little Kids, Big Injuries: Pediatric Readiness in the Trauma Bay,” highlighting data that demonstrated the association between Pediatric Readiness and improved trauma center mortality. Valenzuela discussed strategies for ensuring trauma bays are equipped with the tools, protocols, and training required to manage pediatric emergencies effectively. This session also introduced attendees to real-world applications of Pediatric Readiness principles, including resources such the Pediatric Readiness in the ED Checklist and PEAK: Multisystem Trauma, which enhance trauma team preparedness and improve outcomes during critical scenarios. Valenzuela’s presentation underscored the importance of data-driven readiness initiatives and highlighted how trauma centers can implement these resources to save lives and reduce variability in care.

The dedicated pediatric session, “Pediatric Trauma Centers as Regional QI Partners: Using Standardized Resources to Communicate Best Practices and Optimize Care at Referring Centers,” was planned and led by Aaron Jensen, MD, MEd, MS, FACS, FAAP, Michael Dingeldein, MD, FACS, FAAP, FCCM, and Lisa Gray, MHA, BSN, RN, CPN, TCRN (EIIC Trauma Domain Co-Leads) along with Brian Yorkgitis, DO, FACS, EMSC Fellow. This session explored improving trauma care for children through regional partnerships. They shared practical insights into using standardized resources developed by the EMSC, including the Pediatric Readiness in the ED Checklist and PEAK: Multisystem Trauma. The session highlighted the PEAK’s just-in-time guides tailored to critical scenarios such as hemorrhagic shock, traumatic brain injury (TBI) resuscitation, and cross-sectional imaging. During the Q&A portion of the session, audience members provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about the PEAK: Multisystem Trauma resources.

Additionally, the EMSC Program hosted a booth in the exhibit hall during the conference, led by Gray, which received strong traffic and engagement from attendees. The booth featured handouts of the cross-sectional imaging algorithms developed for PEAK: Multisystem Trauma and gave visitors a chance to interact with experts on how to integrate these resources into their practices.

With over 1,000 attendees joining both sessions, the sessions and exhibit booth highlighted the critical role of Pediatric Readiness in improving trauma care outcomes and showcased the collaborative efforts between pediatric and adult trauma centers to advance care nationwide.

Learn more about EMSC’s work in trauma care here.