Introducing the National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center

Just as new research emerges underscoring the life-saving impact of Pediatric Readiness, a federal grant has been awarded to launch a new center aimed at improving Pediatric Readiness across the emergency care system: the National Pediatric Readiness Coordinating Center (NPRCC). Administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program, the NPRCC will combine two previous national centers for the EMSC Program, the EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center and the EMSC Data Center, into one.

The grant will be led by Principal Investigator Kate Remick, MD, FAAP, of the University of Texas at Austin, alongside co-principal investigators Hilary Hewes, MD, of the University of Utah, and Charles Macias, MD, MPH, of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s. Remick and Macias previously led the EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center, while Hewes led the EMSC Data Center.

The NPRCC will build on the work that has been underway for years, creating a unified center to coordinate national EMSC activities, particularly the National Pediatric Readiness Project (for emergency departments) and Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (for EMS and fire-rescue agencies). The center will support emergency departments, EMS and fire agencies, state and territory EMSC programs and families by connecting research, data, education, quality improvement, and practical resources to advance Pediatric Readiness.

The NPRCC will focus on four overarching objectives:

1. Coordinate guidelines to support consistent, evidence-informed approaches to Pediatric Readiness.
2. Centralize technical assistance and connect emergency clinicians and EMSC grantees with the support and resources they need.
3. Increase awareness of Pediatric Readiness among health care professionals, organizations, and the public.
4. Measure progress and change to better understand improvements in Pediatric Readiness over time.

“While the NPRCC will involve a new name, the vision remains the same: improving emergency care for every child,” says Remick. “The new, combined center will strengthen our ability to carry out this vital work.”

Keep an eye out for more information as the new center takes form over the coming months or contact us for questions.