National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project Assessment!

Pediatric calls are uncommon or rare for most agencies, comprising <20% of EMS calls nationwide. Many EMS clinicians describe taking care of ill children as “scary.” Being “peds ready” can reduce anxiety and increase confidence. Research suggests it also improves patient outcomes and decreases mortality.

The National Pediatric Prehospital Readiness Survey was created to provide you with practical, usable information to understand how ready your agency is to provide emergency care for children and to improve your pediatric capabilities. Any EMS or fire-rescue agency responding to public 911 calls is being asked to complete the assessment. This includes both transporting and non-transporting services.

By hearing directly from you, the California EMSC Program can better support your efforts to care for children in your community, and the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project can tailor resources and opportunities to best suit the needs of agencies like yours. High pediatric readiness is important and has been linked with decreased pediatric mortality and improved outcomes.

Please take the 45 minutes to complete the assessment. It does not have to be finished in one session — you can start, then return later (or multiple times) to complete. Once complete you will receive a score and a Gap Analysis for your agency, with areas of strength and those needing improvement. Your score and Gap Analysis are yours alone — they will NOT be shared with other agencies, your LEMSA, or the State. However, your LEMSA and EMSA are told if you have completed or not. The state is aiming for 100% completion of the assessment, and receipt of Federal EMSC funds may be dependent on completion. 

Please complete the assessment as soon as possible. The portal closes on July 31st. But don’t wait! Got emspedsready.org now, click “Start the Assessment”, then navigate to California and your county to find your agency. If you don’t see your agency, contact the California EMSC Coordinator, Feuy.Saechao@emsa.ca.gov to discuss. 
 
Thank you for safeguarding the care of children in California!