May 16, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Six southern Illinois hospitals were recognized Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program for providing the necessary resources and capabilities to address the emergency needs of seriously ill and injured children.

"This program recognizes hospitals that enhance their emergency departments to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients," said Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director. "To provide the appropriate care for children requires special training, equipment and supplies and cannot be handled in emergency settings initially developed for only adult patients."

Leslee Stein-Spencer, chief of the Department's Division of Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety, Tuesday will present each hospital with a certificate of recognition as a Standby Emergency Department for Pediatrics (SEDP) during a ceremony at the state of Illinois Marion Regional Office in Marion.

The hospitals to be recognized are Crossroad Community Hospital, 8 Doctors Park, Mount Vernon; Fairfield Memorial Hospital, 303 N.W. 11th St., Fairfield; Good Samaritan Regional Health Center, 605 N. 12th St., Mount Vernon; Herrin Hospital, 201 S. 14th St., Herrin; Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, 405 W. Jackson, Carbondale; and St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital, 400 N. Pleasant Ave., Centralia.

Hospitals can apply to the Department for one of two levels of voluntary recognition. Facilities that provide comprehensive emergency services can seek designation as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP). SEDP recognition is for hospitals that provide stabilization measures and have in place transfer guidelines for when more definitive care is needed.

There are 66 EDAP hospitals in Illinois and, with these new designations, there are now 12 SEDP hospitals.

Hospitals seeking voluntary designations are visited by EMSC program staff who verify the emergency department is capable of meeting pediatric emergency care standards including the following:

• Professionals specially trained in pediatric emergency care;
• Adequate staffing and provisions for pediatric consultation and backup to support pediatric emergency care services;
• Availability of essential pediatric equipment, supplies and medication;
• Implementation protocols for interfacility transfer of critically ill and injured children to a specialized care center; and
• Incorporation of pediatrics into emergency services quality improvement categories..

The Illinois EMSC program, a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center, began in 1994 to enhance emergency medical care for children.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments