Get Pediatric Ready: National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment Launches in 2026
- Published February 28, 2025
The next National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment is coming in 2026 and now is the time for emergency departments (EDs) to start preparing. The NPRP helps EDs across the United States measure and enhance their ability to deliver high-quality, specialized care for children, a benchmark known as being “Pediatric Ready.”
Why Pediatric Readiness Matters
Pediatric patients have unique clinical needs that require proper training, equipment, protocols, and systems in place to ensure safe, effective care. The NPRP Assessment evaluates these elements and provides a Readiness Score, along with a gap report that highlights key areas for improvement. This enables EDs to implement targeted quality improvement (QI) initiatives, improve patient outcomes, and align with national best practices in pediatric emergency care.
What’s New for 2026?
Work is already underway for the 2026 assessment cycle. The national assessment is rooted in a joint policy statement developed by leaders in pediatric emergency medicine. This policy statement is currently being reviewed and updated by experts from core NPRP partner organizations:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
- American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT)
- Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
A revised policy statement and a new technical report are expected to be released in summer 2025. These updates will guide the next version of the assessment and inform enhancements to the NPRP Toolkit, offering EDs refreshed resources and support.
What EDs Can Do Now
Don’t wait for 2026 to assess your department’s Pediatric Readiness. EDs can complete the current NPRP open assessment today by visiting www.pedsready.org. Upon completion, you’ll receive:
- An updated Pediatric Readiness Score
- A comprehensive Gap Report
- Benchmarking information
- Actionable insights to support internal QI initiatives
Be sure to print or save your results and share them with your leadership team to ensure your ED is on track to provide the highest level of care to pediatric patients.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Preparing for the NPRP 2026 Assessment positions your ED as a leader in pediatric care. Whether you serve a large pediatric population or see occasional pediatric cases, Pediatric Readiness is essential for providing safe, equitable, and effective emergency care for all patients.