What's New
An updated policy statement, Guidelines for Care of Children in the
Emergency Department, from the AAP, American College of Emergency
Physicians, and Emergency
Nurses Association provides recommendations
on the essential equipment, medications,
personnel training and key policies
needed for optimal emergency care of children.
Because most children who need emergency care are brought to commun-
ity
hospitals, it
is imperative that all hospital emergency departments stand
ready to provide appropriate
emergency care to children of all ages. Pedia-
tric emergency preparedness will be even
more important this fall and win-
ter, particularly where novel H1N1 influenza (swine flu)
rates are higher.
The statement also offers recommendations to promote improved hospital
readiness for children in disasters and was endorsed by 22 other national
organizations and stakeholders.