Reid Health Emergency Department earns Pediatric Ready Level Facility designation

Jan. 24, 2025 -- Reid Health's Emergency Department (ED) has been recognized as a Pediatric Ready Level Facility by the Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children (IEMSC).

This four-year designation ensures children will receive expert care for severe or unexpected illnesses and injuries, improving outcomes.

Allen Meyers, MD, Reid Health Emergency Medicine, said Reid is the second hospital in Indiana to earn the designation outside of pediatric specialty centers.

"This certification demonstrates Reid Health's commitment to providing high-quality emergency care to all patients, regardless of age," Dr. Meyers said.

"Hospitals with high pediatric readiness save lives. As the primary health system serving residents of East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, we take our responsibility to provide exceptional care seriously. This certification certainly demonstrates that."

In the U.S., 80% of children in need of emergency care receive treatment at their community's general emergency department.

Providing high-quality pediatric emergency care requires specialized lifesaving equipment, access to supplies and medications, and ongoing training and education for medical staff and therapists. Specific policies and protocols must also be in place to care for children's unique health needs.

Designation is based on the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment guidelines, measured on a 0-100 scale. Reid scored just above 95 to surpass the benchmark score of 88, which is linked with:

• 76% lower mortality rate in ill children
• 60% lower mortality rate in injured children, and
• 2,143 children's lives saved across the U.S. each year

Misti Foust-Cofield, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer at Reid Health, said the achievement demonstrates the commitment and dedication of Reid's care team.

"Our team worked hard to earn this designation, significantly improving our capability to provide high-quality care for children and their families," Foust-Cofield said. "We're honored to be a trusted resource for the unique healthcare needs of children in our communities."

Hospitals voluntarily assess their readiness to treat children for sickness and injuries in the ED and then make improvements. The last national assessment was held in 2021, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reid completed its multi-year process in September following a site team visit. As part of the visit, Reid collaborated with local emergency and law enforcement agencies and KinderCare to improve its family reunification program, which is based on guidance by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The training ensures Reid's ED and the hospital are prepared to care for multiple pediatric patients and to reunify children with their families. The event also helped children to become familiar with a hospital setting, medical staff, and law enforcement personnel.

"The collaboration to achieve this certification shows the heart of our staff in caring for all of our patients, especially our pediatric patients," said Jennifer Hendrickson, Reid's Emergency Operations and Safety Manager.

Anna Osborn-Brown, Reid's Senior Director of Inpatient Nursing, Emergency, and Urgent Care, said quality improvement and collaboration ensures every pediatric patient receives care aligned with the highest standards.

"Every child deserves access to specialized emergency care," Osborn-Brown said. "This designation reflects our dedication to safeguarding children and providing peace of mind to families."

Reid's Emergency Department is also certified as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and as a Primary Stroke Center from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program.

"I'm convinced our work will save pediatric lives," Dr. Meyers said.

"I want the community to know any day, any time our department is ready to care for your sick or injured child. The care they receive will be evidence based and up to date. We understand this certification demands a high standard, and we're committed to upholding this."

About the National Pediatric Readiness Project
The National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) is an initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association. The project empowers emergency departments nationwide to improve their pediatric readiness or capability to care for acutely ill and injured children.

About the Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children Program
The Indiana Emergency Medical Services for Children Program (IEMSC) focuses on improving the quality of emergency care for children with serious injury and illness, by integrating children's interests into the existing hospital and EMS system. IEMSC represents the unique needs of children within the healthcare community throughout the state, working to ensure that all children everywhere in Indiana have timely access to appropriate emergency medical care.