EMS for Children Program

Idaho Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is a program supported by a federal grant with specific performance measures from the Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Upcoming events & training
If you have an upcoming event or training that pertains to pediatric emergency care and would like to have it posted on the EMSC website, email Program Manager Stacy Connolly stacy.connolly@dhw.idaho.gov

 

NEW...St. Luke’s Pediatric Emergency Conference 2024 - Register to attend this two-day, in-person conference for medical professional that encompasses both pediatric trauma and pediatric medical emergencies. Located in McCall, Idaho on October 7th - 8th. Click the link to register and view the agenda: 
Home - St. Luke's Pediatric Emergency Conference 2024 (cvent.com)

Want to play a game? Use this resource to practice disaster triage for pediatrics and ensure the team is on their game for an MCI. To begin, click on: 60 Seconds to Survival (disastertriagegame.org)

"Respiratory Assessment" by Brienne Leary for OPEN Pediatrics - This video provides instruction on how to perform a comprehensive respiratory assessment on the pediatric patient which includes breath sounds, visual assessment, and much more! YouTube video.

Virtual Pediatric Trauma Lecture Series - Join us each month on the second Monday from 10am - 11am MST to learn more about pediatric trauma care hosted by St. Luke's Children's Hospital. Register Now. For questions, please contact pedstrauma@slhs.org.

SimBox - Free online simulation for healthcare providers. A step-by-step guide on how to facilitate simulation courses such as newborn resuscitation, non-accidental trauma (NAT), and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Take the simulation course.

Reducing the Risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome & Sudden Unexpected Infant Death - Continuing education (CE) for nurses. This 1.5 hours of CE explains the latest research of SIDS, other sleep-related causes of infant death, and ways to reduce the risk of these types of deaths. It also outlines how you can communicate risk-reduction messages to parents and caregivers. Start the education now.

Drowning and the Care of the Drowning Victim by Dr. Justin Sempsrott - This free online course teaches the history of drowning and it's care, how to describe the drowning chain of survival, differentiate drowning from water rescue, and so much more. This course has 8 lessons made up of short videos, discussion, summative and formative knowledge checks and activities. Completion of this activity is worth 2.0 CEUs. Take the course now.

Baby in striped pajamas sleeping
Idaho Safe Haven training
Take this quick course to stay current with the Idaho Safe Haven Act.
EMSC Newsletter
Read the latest news and happenings in the EMSC Newsletter. Let us know what you think!
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Group of kids running at a playground
Mission: "To reduce pediatric mortality and morbidity due to severe illness or trauma."

Vision: "To ensure that the highest level of emergency medical care is provided to all children and adolescents within the state of Idaho."

Resources for Providers

Child Abuse & Neglect, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse

Healthcare providers can refer parents to the following links to find resources on parenting tips about child abuse and neglect as well as mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.

Idaho Children's Trust Fund - Parenting Tips

Idaho Children's Trust Fund - Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect 

Idaho Drowning Prevention Coalition

Did you know that drowning is the #1 cause of death in children 1-4 years old?  Visit ­idpc.life to learn more about the Idaho Drowning Prevention Coalition and to get involved.

Suicide Prevention

Eighty percent of teens who die by suicide show warning signs. Know the signs, prevent attempts, and bring awareness.
Warning Signs and How to Help | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP)

A multi-phase, ongoing quality improvement project to ensure that all emergency departments have the essential guidelines and resources in place to provide effective emergency care. NPRP website.

Resources in this toolkit will assist pediatric emergency care providers to better understand and achieve the components of pediatric readiness in their emergency department.

Use this checklist to know if your hospital emergency department has the most critical components listed.

Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP)

Please visit EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center to learn more about the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP).

Resources in this toolkit will be useful to all dedicated to delivering high-quality pediatric prehospital care.

Use this checklist to know if your EMS agency is ready to care for children.

EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC)

Check out the EIIC website for valuable resources, information, and updates! EIIC (emscimprovement.center)

EMSC Overview - HRSA Maternal & Child Health

Read about EMS for Children program directly from the HRSA website at Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) | MCHB (hrsa.gov)

Carter Kits Sensory Bags

Idaho EMSC partnered with the Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP) to provide Carter Kits to all hospitals and prehospital agencies in Idaho so that children could be focused and comforted during a traumatic event. If your facility ED or agency has not received a kit, please contact the EMSC Program Manager, Stacy Connolly. To learn more about Carter Kits or for those who already received a kit and need to apply for the replacement program click on Carter Kits - Home

Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator

A Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) is a licensed individual affiliated with an agency who interacts directly with agency staff and is passionate for pediatric care. A PECC is responsible for coordinating the emergency care of pediatric patients within their EMS agency or emergency department. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the EMSC program manager.

A Regional PECC Leader (RPL) will be a PECC as well as the main point of contact for the EMSC program manager. The RPL will assist the EMSC program in streamlining the coordination of education and training to the PECCs in their TSE regions. The RPL also will inform the EMSC program manager of any suggestions or requests received by the EMS agencies they represent.

Regional PECC Leaders
Region 1 NorthRodney Geilenfeldt
Region 2 North-CentralDixie Reilly
Region 3 SouthwestHeather Knapp
Region 4 South-CentralLara McLean
Region 5 SoutheastGreg Vickers
Region 6 EastSheandi Richins

 

Idaho Pediatric Recognition Manual abstracted mountain range
Idaho Pediatric Recognition Program
Click on the link below to read the manual and access the applications.

Pediatric Readiness Recognized Centers by Region

Region 1 North
FacilityLevel
Bonner General Hospital - SandpointPediatric Capable
Region 2 North-Central
Region 3 Southwest
Region 4 South-Central
Region 5 Southeast
Region 6 East
FacilityLevel
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center - Idaho FallsPediatric Expert