PCOME: Get ED Ready
The Get ED Ready project goals are to improve emergency departments’ readiness to care for pediatric patients by on-site evaluations, targeted recommendations and utilizing resources and experiences from Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. The implementation of a network that reaches and connects Riley at IU Health to multiple emergency departments across the state will greatly improve access to proven pediatric protocols and education material.
The Get ED Ready team is a multi-disciplinary team that consists of nurses, respiratory therapists, pediatric intensivists and emergency pediatric physicians. The team will address identified gaps in the national pediatric readiness project (NPRP) and propose processes to improve the quality of pediatric emergency care within Indiana’s emergency departments.
What is the national pediatric readiness project?
The National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) was formed by the collaboration of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) along with the Federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC). 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. In Indiana, the average state score was 67% compared to the national average of 69% readiness score. Additional information about NPRP can be found at the EMSC Improvement Center.
Download Pediatric Readiness State Data Sheet (PDF)
Why is pediatric readiness Important to Children?
Children comprise 27% of the U.S. population and account for approximately 20% of all hospital ED visits. Pediatric emergencies often take place close to home and school. Data validates that 90% of these emergency pediatric visits take place in a local general hospital rather than a facility with pediatric specialization or expertise. Thus, it is imperative that all hospitals providing emergency care for children be prepared with appropriate equipment, medications, and care policies, and are staffed with providers who participate in regular evidence-based pediatric education offerings.
What facilities are participating in the project?
Emergency departments including community-based hospitals and freestanding hospitals that see children in the state of Indiana are participants.
Day of the Program
This project will consist of three on-site visits. The first visit will consist of an on-site assessment by a Get ED Ready coordinator using a nationally recognized checklist. The second visit will be the follow-up PCOME simulation day, in which we will also present the collected data, recommendations, and conduct an open forum education session. Finally, the third visit will be a follow-up assessment using the pediatric readiness checklist and any additional resources needed.
More Information
To request more information about the program or to schedule a visit please contact our team at:
Kellie Leeper, RRT, NPS
Coordinator, Get ED Ready
kleeper@iuhealth.org
317.213.5329
Kamal Abulebda, MD, FAAP
Medical director, Get ED Ready
kabulebd@iupui.edu
317.944.9674