Press Release

August 25, 2005

TWO CHICAGO HOSPITALS RECOGNIZED FOR PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE

CHICAGO – Dr. Eric W. Whitaker, state public health director today announced two hospitals being recognized by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program for providing the necessary resources and capabilities to address the critical care and emergency needs of seriously ill and injured children.

“This program recognizes hospitals that have the highest level of specialized critical care and emergency care services to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients,” said Dr. Whitaker. “To provide the appropriate care for critically ill and injured children requires a dedicated pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric specialists and services, as well as specialized training, equipment and supplies.”

The hospitals recognized are Children’s Memorial Hospital and the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. Dr. Whitaker presented each hospital with a certificate of recognition as a Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC) during ceremonies, which were held at each facility.

“Our goal to achieve the PCCC designation was driven by our desire to improve care for children,” said Dr. Susan Kecskes, clinical associate professor of pediatrics and head of the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at the University of Illinois Medical Center. “Preparing for the certification allowed us to improve and formalize our existing training and emergency preparedness processes.”

“Serving as the pediatric trauma center for the city of Chicago we are honored with this latest recognition,” said Patrick Magoon, president and CEO of Children’s Memorial. “Our physicians, nurses and clinicians have dedicated their lives to serving children and this validates their efforts.”

The Pediatric Critical Care Center level is part of the Department’s Facility Recognition program, which currently recognizes two other pediatric care levels. Hospitals can voluntarily apply for one of the following three levels of recognition. Facilities that have a pediatric intensive care unit and can provide specialty inpatient services for the pediatric patient can seek recognition as a PCCC. Hospitals that provide comprehensive emergency services and meet pediatric emergency care requirements are recognized as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP). The Standby Emergency Department for Pediatrics (SEDP) recognition is for hospitals that can provide stabilization measures and have transfer agreements in place when more definitive care is needed. Note that those centers applying for the PCCC level must have attained EDAP status.

With these new recognitions, there are now five PCCC hospitals to provide care to Illinois children. Other hospitals within Illinois that have attained this level include Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield; Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria and Loyola University Health System, Maywood.

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

  • A pediatric intensive care unit
  • Professionals specially trained in pediatric intensive and emergency care
  • Adequate staffing and provisions for pediatric intensive and emergency care
  • Adequate staffing and provisions for pediatric consultation and backup.
  • Availability of essential pediatric equipment, supplies and medication
  • Protocols for the treatment of critically ill and injured children
  • Access to specialized pediatric interfacility transport services for critically ill and injured children, as well as protocols to assist in the transfer process
  • Conduction of pediatric critical care and emergency care quality improvement activities.

Illinois EMSC, a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center, was established in 1994 to enhance emergency medical care for children within our state.

 





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