When 911 is called for an emergency involving a child, Emergency Medical Service providers must respond differently than if the patient was an adult. They:
- Use different equipment
- Expect different vital signs
- Give different doses of medication
- Must be prepared for a patient who will be afraid and unable to communicate in the same way as an adult would
These same things must be taken into consideration when a child goes to the emergency room.
How do EMS and hospital providers get the resources they need to best serve these children and save their lives?
The EMS for Children Initiative strengthens the emergency care infrastructure through education, training, and equipment, in order to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity resulting from severe illness or trauma.
Our goals include:
- Excellent emergency medical care is available for all ill or injured children and adolescents
- Pediatric services are well-integrated into the emergency medical services system
- The entire spectrum of emergency services, including primary prevention of illness and injury, acute care, and rehabilitation, is provided to children and adolescents
