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.

Injury prevention and emergency medical services for children in a managed care environment.

Each year, 1 in 5 US children receives medical care as a result of injury. Injuries are the leading cause of medical spending for children ages 5 to 21 years, accounting for more than 20% of hospital admissions and days spent in the hospital. Pediatric injuries become an important issue for managed care organizations because of concern for member safety and increasing medical costs related to treatment.

Twenty-four-hour access to emergency care for children in managed care.

Children's medical emergencies occur around the clock. In years past, the emergency department, open 24 hours a day, was a familiar site for treating these emergencies. However, in today's health care environment, the scenario can be more confusing.

Quality and accountability: Children's emergency services in a managed care environment.

The fast pace of change in the health care system has sparked growing interest among purchasers, consumers, providers, health plans, and others in evaluating and improving the quality of health services. The Emergency Medical Services for Children Program's Managed Care Task Force recommended the development of a white paper to focus on issues related to quality and accountability in children's emergency medical services in a managed care environment. A literature review was conducted, and a panel reviewed and discussed relevant materials.

Emergency Medical Services for Children managed care white paper series: introduction.

The introduction of managed care principles profoundly changed the delivery of health care in the United States. The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program has developed a series of white papers to address the impact of managed care on the emergency care system for children and adolescents. We hope that these white papers will focus discussions among managed care organizations, health care providers, and the public in ways that will lead to improvement in the system of care available to children and adolescents.