Pediatric emergency department readiness among US trauma hospitals.

Background: Pediatric readiness among US emergency departments is not universal. Trauma hospitals adhere to standards that may support day-to-day readiness for children.

Methods: In 2013 4,146 emergency departments participated in the NPRP to assess compliance with the 2009 Guidelines to Care for Children in the Emergency Department.

Transitions of Care: The Presence of Written Interfacility Transfer Guidelines and Agreements for Pediatric Patients.

Objective: Every year, emergency medical services agencies transport approximately 150,000 pediatric patients between hospitals. During these transitions of care, patient safety may be affected and contribute to adverse events when important clinical information is missing, incomplete, or inaccurate. Written interfacility transfer policies are one way to standardize procedures and facilitate communication between the hospitals leading to improved patient safety and satisfaction for children and families.

Organized interfacility transfer processes: an opportunity to improve pediatric emergency care.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the proportion of hospitals with established guidelines and agreements for the interfacility transfer of seriously ill and injured children.

Methods: Paper- and Web-based survey tools were utilized by states to survey all hospitals with an emergency department. In addition, a content analysis was done on existing state mandates and regulations addressing interfacility transfer guidelines/protocols and agreements.

Using system change as a method of performance/quality improvement for emergency and trauma care of severely injured children: pediatric system performance improvement.

Quality or performance improvement is paramount to trauma programs. In an effort to improve the emergency care continuum for children and in response to the Government Performance Review Act, the Federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program developed EMSC performance measures. The measures provide benchmarking capabilities and a plan for state EMSC programs to reduce pediatric emergency or trauma gaps nationwide.

When disaster strikes--care considerations for pediatric patients.

Katrina and the events of September 11th, 2001 have made the vulnerability of our country very apparent. Communities have been preparing and organizing multihazard response plans to assure the safety and care of citizens when disasters strike. These plans focus on advance preparation to assure access and augmentation of essential resources, as well as provider education, both of which are core components of good trauma centers and effective state trauma systems.

Evaluation of a novel Web-based pediatric advanced life support course.

Objective: To assess the educational efficacy of a Web-based pediatric advanced life support course (Web-PALS).

Design: Nonrandomized, prospective, cohort study.

Setting: University medical center.