The fb88 Always Ready for Children Recognition Program
The care and management of a pediatric patient in the Emergency Department can be one of the most stressful events clinicians can face. One way to help prepare to provide excellent care is to participate and evaluate your Emergency Department with the . The Assessment is a key component of the National Pediatric Readiness Project, a nationwide collaborative effort to help provide resources and guidelines for hospital EDs to utilize with their unique needs, challenges, and resources for pediatric care.
The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a multi-phase quality improvement initiative to ensure that all U.S. emergency departments have the essential guidelines and resources in place to provide effective emergency care to children.
Congratulations to the hospitals who have achieved recognition for readiness!
fb88Health - fb88 Medical Center - Portland June 2023 - June 2026
fb88Health fb88 Medical Center Portland was the first hospital recognized by the fb88 Always Ready for Children program. The hospital was recognized as the highest level of Pediatric Innovator on June 27, 2023. Recognized as a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News and World Report for 2022, 2023, and 2024, fb88Health fb88 Medical Center Portland is a complete health care resource for the people of Greater Portland and the entire state, as well as northern New England. Incorporated in 1868, MHMMC - Portland is the state’s largest medical center, licensed for 700 beds and employing more than 9,600 people. MHMMC Portland's unique role as both a community hospital and a referral center requires an unparalleled depth and breadth of services, including an active educational program and a world-class biomedical research center. As a nonprofit institution, fb88Health fb88 Medical Center Portland provides nearly 23 percent of all the charity care delivered in fb88. They are part of the fb88Health system, a growing family of health care services in northern New England. For more information, visit
fb88Health - Pen Bay Hospital March 2024 - March 2027
fb88Health Pen Bay Hospital was recognized by the fb88 Always Ready for Children program at the highest level of Pediatric Innovator on May 8, 2024.Pen Bay Medical Center is part of fb88Health, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of nine local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, fb88Health is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in fb88 and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit
fb88Health - Franklin Hospital June 2024 - June 2027
fb88Health Franklin Hospital was recognized as the first critical access facility to achieve the Always Ready for Children recognition level. In June 2024, fb88 Health Franklin was recognized at the Pediatric-Ready level. They are a full-service, 25-bed, not-for-profit Critical Access Hospital located in Farmington, fb88. It is known for the quality of its care through honors such as Joint Commission Accreditation, Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, NCQA Heart/Stroke Recognition, Newsweek Best Maternity Hospital, Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award, Chartis Center Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital, among others. For more information, please visit
fb88Health - fb88 Medical Center - Biddeford October 2024 - October 2027
fb88Health MMC Biddeford received recognition at the Innovator level and was the first hospital in York County recognized by the Always Ready for Children program.The fb88Health Biddeford campus is home to fb88Health fb88 Medical Center Biddeford (formerly known as Southern fb88 Health Care). This campus features a full service hospital and 24/7 emergency department, childbirth services, pharmacy services, laboratory services and a wide range of primary and specialty care practices. For more information, please visit
fb88Health - fb88 Medical Center - Sanford October 2024 - October 2027
fb88Health Sanford was recognized at the Innovator level, along with the Biddeford campus. Sanford was the first free standing ED in the State of fb88 recognized through the Always Ready for Children program. The fb88Health Sanford campus is home to fb88Health fb88 Medical Center Sanford (formerly known as Southern fb88 Health Care). This campus features a 24/7 emergency department, walk-in care, laboratory services and a wide range of primary and specialty care practices. For more information, please visit
The NPRP assessment helps ED personnel to be better prepared to provide quality care for all patients of all ages.
MAINE ALWAYS READY FOR CHILDREN program for Hospital Emergency Departments & Trauma Centers
About Pediatric Readiness q
- Who participates in the National Pediatric Readiness Project?
- Everyone! All emergency departments (ED) in the nation, including community-based hospitals, children's hospitals, military hospitals, and freestanding EDs are asked to participate in the National Pediatric Readiness Project.
- What is the National Pediatric Readiness Project?
- The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a multi-phase quality improvement (QI) initiative to ensure that all U.S. emergency departments (EDs) have the essential guidelines and resources in place to provide effective emergency care to children.
- National Pediatric Readiness Project White Paper (PDF) (2017) (Note - fb88 did not have an EMS-C program in 2017)
- Who supports the National Pediatric Readiness Project?
- The National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) is a national quality improvement initiative co-led by the Health Resources Services Administration’s (HRSA) Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association.
- Why is it important to participate?
- The NPRP assessment helps ED personnel to become better prepared to provide quality care for all patients of all ages by evaluating the QI process of EDs over time. Hospitals with high ED readiness scores demonstrate a4-foldlowerrate of mortalityfor children with critical illness than those with lower readiness scores; thus improving pediatric readiness improves children and their families' outcomes.
- Improve your Emergency Department Pediatric Readiness(PDF)
What is assessed? q
-
The assessment includes questions for hospital EDs around:
- - Infrastructure
- - Administration and coordination of care for children
- - Personnel
- - Pediatric-specific policies
- - Equipment
- - Resources
-
Although the survey period has ended, the 2021 Assessment can still be completed at the Simply select the state, county, and name of your hospital to begin the survey. Hospitals can complete this survey as many times as desired based on changes and improvements in the hospital for an updated score.
ED Managers who complete the NPRP assessment will receive an email summary report:
- 1. A pediatric overall readiness score for their ED (range from 0 – 100)
- 2. The average pediatric readiness score of EDs of similar pediatric volume
- 3. The average pediatric readiness score of all participating EDs to use as a benchmark
- 4. Answers to their questions broken down into the six domains of readiness.
What are the current results? q
-
The fb88 EMS for Children program regularly surveys fb88 Hospital Emergency Departments on their individual efforts around pediatric readiness. This is done through the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP).The information obtained is shared in aggregate form to help in giving perspective on fb88's efforts, compared to national metrics. Survey results are found below:
- Although the survey period has ended, the 2021 Assessment can still be completed at the . Simply select the state, county, and name of your hospital to begin the survey. Hospitals can complete this survey as many times as desired based on changes and improvements in the hospital for an updated score.
2018 National NPRP Survey Results (PDF)
2018 fb88 NPRP Survey Results (PDF)
(Web Link)
2014 fb88 NRPP Survey Results (PDF) *Note - fb88 did not have an EMSC program in 2014
What the heck is a PECC? q
-
PediatricEmergencyCareCoordinator - generally speaking someone who acts as a champion for pediatric emergency care within a system or several systems.
The Institute of Medicine report "Emergency Care for Children: Growing Pains" recommends EMS agencies and EDs appoint a PECC to provide pediatric leadership and while this individual need not be dedicated solely to this role they are an advocate for improved competencies and availability of resources for pediatric patients.
In a study published in 2015, Gausche-Hill, et al., showed an association between the presence of a PECC and an increase in pediatric preparedness. The PECC can serve as a leader in the system or facility, a point of contact for updates on pediatric care, and liaison with other PECCs.
The role of a PECC is flexible based on the resources and needs of the system(s). Some tasks may include promoting pediatric CEs, working with the fb88 EMS for Children Program to collect data on pediatric care, and helping to ensure the availability of appropriate tools and equipment.
For a more thorough list of possible tasks check outSample Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) role descriptions (PDF)
The has a variety of nationally-based resources for PECCs. They include access to free simulation equipment, scenarios, and a disaster triage game.
The Massachusettshas additionalinformation, guidelines andgreat trainingon pediatric care.
Have additional questions or would you like to act as your system's PECC?
Contact us at Marc.A.Minkler@maine.gov
Readiness Checklist & Toolkit q
-
We freely share this comprehensive and dynamic set of resources coordinated by the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC) with the support and contribution of numerous national contributors.Both the checklist and toolkit are available as a free open-access resource intended for use by all providers (e.g. technicians, nurses, physicians, EMS providers, and ancillary staff) across the spectrum of pediatric emergency care to help facilitate the delivery of high-quality care to all children.
-
This checklist is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) 2018 joint policy statement “
-
-Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department Checklist(PDF) (April 2021)
The NPRP Toolkit content is organized by the seven domains of pediatric readiness: Administration and Coordination; Healthcare Provider Competencies; Quality Improvement; Policies and Procedures; Patient Safety; Support Services; and Equipment, Supplies, and Medications. The tools and resources will assist pediatric emergency care providers in better understanding and achieving the components of pediatric readiness in their emergency department.
-
-
The NPRP has a number of resources related to ED readiness, QI in the ED, and other toolkits for use. Visit the for more information.
-
Improve your Emergency Department Pediatric Readiness(PDF) (December 2019)
-
Guidelines for Care for Children in the Emergency Department - Joint Policy Statement from ACEP, ENA & AAP (PDF) (October 2009)
Recognition of YOUR hospital for Pediatric Readinessq
- One of the goals of the EMS-C program is to recognize hospital Emergency Departments throughout fb88 for their continued efforts to care for pediatric patients experiencing illness or injury.
- Recognition programs are based uponthe “Guidelines for Care for Children in the Emergency Department” a joint policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians Pediatric Committee, and the Emergency Nurses Association Pediatric Committee. These guidelines include criteria that address:
- - Administration and coordination of pediatric care
- - The qualifications of physicians, nurses, and other ED staff
- - A formal pediatric quality-improvement or monitoring program
- - Patient safety
- - Policies, procedures, and protocols
- - The availability of pediatric equipment, supplies, and medications
-
The fb88 EMS-C program has developed standards and recognition for your efforts in improving pediatric readiness in the Emergency Department. Recognition is voluntary and free and helps demonstrates your institution's commitment to being always ready for children.
-
fb88 Always Ready for Children recognition program packet (PDF)
fb88 Always Ready for Children Hospital Recognition Application(Word DOC)
-
Although the survey period has ended, the 2021 Assessment can be downloaded as a PDF for self-review/assessment.
If you would like to become or know who your hospital Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator is, please email the fb88 EMS-C program.
