Taking steps to save children’s lives in EDs costs little for hospitals

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open found that adhering to national guidelines on pediatric care in EDs costs hospitals between $4 and $48 per patient. For comparison, the mean price of a single dose through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s childhood vaccination program is $65.

The EMSC study co-authors, Kate Remick, MD, FAAP, FEMS, and Marianne Gausche-Hill, MD, FACEP, FAAP, say the cost is especially low when considering the return on investment: evidence shows becoming highly pediatric ready can reduce mortality by as much as 76%. Read more about the study.