Critical Path Network
ED guidelines for the care of children (excerpt)
A. A Physician Coordinator for Pediatric Emergency Medicine is appointed by the ED [emergency department] Medical Director.
1. The Physician Coordinator has the following qualifications:
a. The Physician Coordinator meets the qualifications for credentialing by the Hospital as a specialist in emergency medicine, pediatric emergency medicine, or pediatrics.
b. The Physician Coordinator has special interest, knowledge, and skill in emergency medical care of children as demonstrated by training, clinical experience, or focused continuing medical education.
c. The Physician Coordinator may be a staff physician who is currently assigned other roles in the ED, such as the Medical Director of the ED , or may be shared through formal consultation agreements with professional resources from a hospital capable of providing definitive pediatric care.
2. The Physician Coordinator is responsible for the following:
a. Ensure adequate skill and knowledge of staff physicians in emergency care and resuscitation of infants and children.
b. Oversee ED pediatric quality improvement (QI), performance improvement (PI), and clinical care protocols.
c. Assist with development and periodic review of ED medications, equipment, supplies, policies, and procedures.
d. Serve as liaison to appropriate in-hospital and out-of-hospital pediatric care committees in the community (if they exist).
e. Serve as liaison to a definitive care hospital, which includes a regional pediatric referral hospital and trauma center; EMS agencies; primary care providers; health insurers; and any other medical resources needed to integrate services for the continuum of care of the patient.
f. Facilitate pediatric emergency education for ED health care providers and out-of-hospital providers affiliated with the ED.
B. A Nursing Coordinator for Pediatric Emergency Care is appointed.
1. The Nursing Coordinator has the following qualifications:
The Nursing Coordinator demonstrates special interest, knowledge, and skill in emergency care and resuscitation of infants and children as demonstrated by training, clinical experience, or focused continuing nursing education.
2. The Nursing Coordinator is responsible for the following:
a. Coordinate pediatric QI, PI, and clinical care protocols with the Physician Coordinator.
b. Serve as liaison to appropriate in-hospital and out-of-hospital pediatric care committees.
c. Serve as liaison to inpatient nursing as well as to a definitive care hospital, a regional pediatric referral hospital and trauma center, EMS agencies, primary care providers, health insurers, and any other medical resources needed to integrate services for the continuum of care of the patient.
d. Facilitate ED nursing continuing education in pediatrics and provide orientation for new staff members.
e. Provide assistance and support for pediatric education of out-of-hospital providers affiliated with the ED.
f. Assist in development and periodic review of policies and procedures for pediatric care.
g. Stock and monitor pediatric equipment and medication availability.
Source: American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Excerpt of Care of Children in the Emergency Department: Guidelines for Preparedness. Ann Emerg Med 2001; 37:423-427.
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