Firearm Injury Prevention and Patient Safety: Online Course-Position Statement

Position Statement - Pediatric Readiness in the ED

Pdf Summary

Emergency nurses play a crucial role in caring for patients of all ages, including children. Around 20% of emergency department visits in the United States are made by children under the age of 15. Despite the challenges of limited exposure to pediatric patients, all emergency nurses must be prepared to provide safe and effective care for children. The responsibility for ED preparedness lies with the emergency nurse leader, who is responsible for staff competency assessment, policy and procedure development, equipment procurement, quality improvement planning, and staff education. There is a need for all EDs that treat pediatric patients to be "pediatric-ready". The definition of pediatric patients varies, but they generally include infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines pediatric patients as those from birth to age 21. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) has played a key role in improving pediatric emergency nursing education through the creation of the Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC). ENPC prepares ED nurses to recognize the unique physiological and anatomical differences and risks faced by children. The ENA has taken the position that all EDs have a professional and ethical responsibility to be prepared to provide life- and limb-saving care to pediatric patients. The identification of a nurse pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC) is central to the readiness of any ED that treats pediatric patients. It is recommended that EDs maintain appropriately sized pediatric equipment and supplies, have continuing education and competencies that address pediatric care, include pediatric-specific indicators in performance improvement plans, include children in disaster plans, and have policies that address pediatric care. Improvement efforts and recognition programs have shown that higher pediatric readiness scores are associated with improved patient outcomes. Overall, it is important for all EDs to be continually prepared for pediatric emergencies and provide safe care for children.

Keywords

Emergency nurses

pediatric patients

emergency department visits

ED preparedness

emergency nurse leader

pediatric-ready

Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course

nurse pediatric emergency care coordinator

pediatric equipment and supplies

improved patient outcomes