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 community hospitals, it is imperative that all hospital emergency departments stand ready to provide appropriate emergency care to children of all ages. Pediatric emergency preparedness will be even more important this fall and winter, 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.

Use this checklist to see how well prepared your ED is to care for children.

Check out additional resources developed by the EMSC National Resource Center including a Pediatric Equipment Guidelines Toolbox and a Facility Categorization Toolbox.

In addition, the policy statement, Emergency Information Forms (EIFs) and Emergency Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) has also been updated. CSHCN risk uncommon and dangerous emergencies related to their chronic illness. The AAP and American College of Emergency Physicians' EIF provides a link to the child's Medical Home and pediatric subspecialists with advice for first steps to emergency treatment. It includes expanded discussion of disaster planning, electronic applications of the EIF, and a link to the University of Minnesota/Michigan Public Health Institute EIF project Midwest Emergency Medical Services for Children Information System that can be toured at www.memscis.com. An electronic EIF is also provided as a possible template.

• POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

  EMSC Advocacy (PDF)

• AAP WEBCASTS

  State of Emergency Department Preparedness for Children: A Consensus on the Essentials
  February 23, 2010 (archived)
  
  State of All Hazards Preparedness for Children: Partnerships & Models for Merging Emergency Department & Disaster Preparedness Efforts Nationwide
  March 24, 2010 (archived)

• EMSC PODCASTS

  Pediatric Emergency Medication Safety
  15 Podcasts Targeting Medical Students, Residents & Fellows
  To educate, describe potential solutions, and provide tools for trainees to implement a quality improvement initiative.

Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department: Joint AAP/ACEP/ENA Policy Statement - October 2009

EMSC Performance Measures

ABC News Article - Sept. 21, 2009

Illinois Model Program to Improve Pediatric Emergency Department Readiness - August 2009

AAP News Article - How Prepared are U.S. Hospitals to Handle Pediatric Emergencies? - March 2008

Survey on Pediatric Preparedness of U.S. Emergency Departments - December 2007

Institute of Medicine Report on Emergency Care for Children - June 2006

Availability of Pediatric Services & Equipment in U.S. Emergency Departments: 2002-2003 - February 2006

Call to Action on Emergency Department Preparedness to Care for Children - April 2001

Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department: Joint AAP-ACEP Policy Statement - April 2001

The AAP Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine (COPEM) addresses the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents in the access to and delivery of pediatric emergency care. As an advocate for Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), the Committee utilizes its resources to foster national programs and policy designed to heighten professional and public knowledge of such issues as prehospital care of children and EMS, pediatric life support, hospital resources for the delivery of pediatric emergency care including essential equipment, supplies, staffing, and protocols. The Committee serves as a voice for EMSC within and outside the Academy and is a liaison member of the EMSC National Resource Center Partnership for Children Stakeholder Group, American College of Emergency Physicians Pediatric Committee, and American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.