EMSC site visits AL, LA, NM and MA
- Published September 30, 2024
This past month, representatives from the federal EMSC Program and its two national resource centers completed four site visits in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico and Massachusetts.
Each site visit was packed full of learning all about the unique characteristics, challenges, collaborations and work of the individual EMSC programs. Below are some of the highlights.
Alabama
In Alabama, the primary focus of the one-day site visit was to learn about progress the Alabama EMSC Program has made in recent years and to provide the Alabama EMSC Program team with insights for further advancement. The Alabama team coordinated a trip for us to a local EMS agency, where the site visit team observed firsthand how the agency ensures its staff are pediatric ready every day. Learn more about Alabama’s EMSC Program.
Louisiana
The Louisiana site visit focused on the growing number of pediatric-specific initiatives within the state, including an in-depth overview of a recently piloted hospital recognition program. Louisiana EMSC facilitated a tour of the New Orleans Children’s Hospital, where the recognition program was being piloted, and invited the site visit team to participate in the quarterly advisory committee meeting. During this visit, the team also held consultation sessions with other state managers - Jared, in Utah, talking about the success and how they built up their statewide PECC network, and with Chettie (ND) - discussing some of the challenges, barriers, and successes of the recently launched EMS recognition program. Both of these sessions helped to provide insight and recommendations for Louisiana as they move forward on the development of their own initiatives in their state, and we greatly appreciate their participation in LA’s agenda! Other Louisiana highlights include a PECC consortium, with a newly developed charter including 8 PECCs so far and partnering with the Louisiana Bureau of EMS to develop a peds ready program for EMS agencies. Learn more about Louisiana’s EMSC Program.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Program shared how it leverages many partnerships within the state department to advance pediatric priorities. This includes working with epidemiology to identify emerging issues; solidifying EMSC priorities, like having a PECC, into licensure requirements; and also partnering with the federal Hospital Preparedness Program to create a resource network during the respiratory surge in 2022. Additionally, the site team was able to experience firsthand the virtual reality training assistant that EMS agencies have been using in order to firm up pediatric knowledge and skills. Learn more about Massachusetts’ EMSC Program.
New Mexico
New Mexico EMSC arranged for a trip to the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. The visit showcased some of the incredible work this Indian Health Services facility has done in collaboration with the New Mexico EMSC, to improve pediatric readiness in the emergency department. The experience also permitted the site visit team to learn more about the challenges rural EMS and EDs face in their efforts to provide high-quality care to children. Learn more about New Mexico’s EMSC Program.