Since 1998, more than 100 hospitals in Illinois have received recognition by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program for having the essential resources and capabilities in place to meet the emergency and critical care needs of seriously ill and injured children.

Hospitals can apply for one of three levels of voluntary recognition. Facilities that have a pediatric intensive care unit and can provide specialty inpatient services for the pediatric patient can seek recognition as a Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC). Hospitals that provide comprehensive emergency services and meet defined pediatric emergency care requirements can seek recognition as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP). The Standby Emergency Department for Pediatrics (SEDP) recognition is for hospitals that provide stabilization measures and have transfer guidelines in place when more definitive pediatric care is needed. ( Note that those centers applying for the PCCC level must have attained EDAP status). 

Hospitals seeking this voluntary designation receive a site visit by the EMSC program staff to verify that the emergency department and pediatric department are capable of meeting the following key pediatric care standards:

• Professionals specially trained in pediatric emergency and critical care;
  
  
• Adequate staffing and provisions for pediatric consultation and backup support;
  
  
• Availability of essential pediatric equipment, supplies and medication;
  
  
• Protocols for the treatment of the abused child, of critically ill and injured children and of those children requiring transfer to a specialized care center; and
  
  
• Conduction of pediatric quality improvement activities.

List of Pediatric Critical Care Centers

List of Emergency Departments Approved for Pediatrics

List of Standby Emergency Departments for Pediatrics

Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children

Waiver Forms

• Emergency Department Approved for Pediatricts (EDAP) Physician Waiver - Fillable PDF
• Emergency Department Approved for Pediatricts (EDAP) Nurse Practitioner Waiver - Filliable PDF