RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pediatric Readiness in Emergency Medical Services Systems
JF Pediatrics
JO Pediatrics
FD American Academy of Pediatrics
SP e20193308
DO 10.1542/peds.2019-3308
VO 145
IS 1
A1 Owusu-Ansah, Sylvia
A1 Moore, Brian
A1 Shah, Manish I.
A1 Gross, Toni
A1 Brown, Kathleen
A1 Gausche-Hill, Marianne
A1 Remick, Katherine
A1 Adelgais, Kathleen
A1 Rappaport, Lara
A1 Snow, Sally
A1 Wright-Johnson, Cynthia
A1 Leonard, Julie C.
A1 Lyng, John
A1 Fallat, Mary
A1 ,
A1 ,
YR 2020
UL http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/1/e20193308.abstract
AB Ill and injured children have unique needs that can be magnified when the child’s ailment is serious or life-threatening. This is especially true in the out-of-hospital environment. Providing high-quality out-of-hospital care to children requires an emergency medical services (EMS) system infrastructure designed to support the care of pediatric patients. As in the emergency department setting, it is important that all EMS agencies have the appropriate resources, including physician oversight, trained and competent staff, education, policies, medications, equipment, and supplies, to provide effective emergency care for children. Resource availability across EMS agencies is variable, making it essential that EMS medical directors, administrators, and personnel collaborate with outpatient and hospital-based pediatric experts, especially those in emergency departments, to optimize prehospital emergency care for children. The principles in the policy statement “Pediatric Readiness in Emergency Medical Services Systems” and this accompanying technical report establish a foundation on which to build optimal pediatric care within EMS systems and serve as a resource for clinical and administrative EMS leaders.