October 15, 1999

HOSPITALS RECOGNIZED FOR CHILD EMERGENCY CARE

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Eleven hospitals in the Chicago area today were recognized by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program for having the essential resources and capabilities to meet the emergency needs of seriously ill and injured children.

“Children have unique needs that require special training, equipment and supplies,” said Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director. “They cannot be cared for in emergency care systems initially developed for adult patients.

“This program recognizes institutions that enhance the capabilities of their emergency departments to care for the pediatric patient. As a result, parents and others will be able to make informed decisions about their children’s emergency care.”

Dr. Lumpkin presented each hospital with a certificate of recognition as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) during a ceremony at the Illinois Hospital and HealthSystems Association, Naperville.

Hospitals that provide comprehensive emergency services for children can apply to the Department for voluntary designation as EDAP. With these new designations, there are now 66 EDAP hospitals in Illinois. Hospitals that only offer stabilization measures and have transfer guidelines for when more definitive care can receive voluntary designations as Standby Emergency Department for Pediatrics (SEDP). There are six such hospitals in the state.

Participating hospitals are visited by EMSC program staff to verify they are capable of meeting key pediatric emergency care standards, which include 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 of protocols for interfacility transfers of critically ill and injured children to a specialized care center; and
• Incorporation of pediatrics into emergency services quality improvement activities.

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.

(Editors’s note: Below is a list of hospitals that were recognized)

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