Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Resources
NYS EMSC Products
- New York State Pediatric Assessment Reference Card (updated 7/2016) - (PDF)
Pub. #4157 - Minimum Pediatric Care Standards for New York State Hospitals, Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units (PDF)
- Pediatric Regional Critical Care Hospitals: White Paper on Evidence and Improvement Opportunities in New York (Feb 2008) - (PDF)
- The New York State Trauma System: A Special Report on Pediatric Trauma 1994-1998 - (PDF)
- Be Prepared for Medical Emergencies Involving Your Child brochure - (PDF)
- Children with Special Health Care Needs - Prehospital Care Reference Card - (PDF)
Pub. #4158
HealthyChildren.org
HealthyChildren.org provides information regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) many programs and activities, policies and guidelines, publications and other child health resources.
New York Bureau of EMS Policy Statement 15-03 Recommended Pediatric Equipment for Certified EMS Response Vehicles
National Equipment List for Emergency Ground Ambulances
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has co-authored a joint policy statement, " Equipment for Ground Ambulances " along with 6 other National Associations (American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) and National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO))
- Equipment for Ground Ambulances (Updated 2014)
This list of pediatric equipment for Ground Ambulances has been approved and endorsed by New York's State EMS Council (SEMSCO), State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC) and the EMS for Children Advisory Committee (EMSCAC) for all certified EMS agencies in New York.
Safe Transport of Children in Ground Ambulances
- Safe Transport of Children by EMS: NASEMSO Interim Guidance (PDF)
- NHTSA Safe Transportation of Children in Ground Ambulances (PDF)
- NY Bureau of EMS Policy on Passenger Restraint (08-04) (PDF)
AAP Releases Policy Statement: Consent for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Adolescents.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the policy statement Consent for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Adolescents. The purpose of the statement is to provide guidance in those situations in which parental consent is not readily available, in which parental consent is not necessary, or in which parental refusal of consent places a child at risk of significant harm.
Emergency Preparedness
The purpose of this 'toolkit' is to provide guidance to hospitals throughout New York State in preparing their own unique emergency disaster plan. It is especially useful to the hospitals that do not routinely care for pediatric, newborn or obstetric patients. The 'toolkit' provides an outline for roles and actions of hospital personnel, volunteers, families and the community during an emergency and guides hospital emergency planning to ensure the pediatric and obstetric population will be well cared for during a mass casualty event.
Injury Prevention
EMSC Innovation & Improvement Center
The EIIC is focused on improving outcomes for children in emergency situations by using improvement science as the basis for collaborative efforts to address known gaps in the US healthcare system. EMSC IIC receives federal funding from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, to work in partnership with States, communities, medical institutions, public-private partners, and families to enhance the capability and capacity of EMS systems to manage the emergency medical needs of children in the areas of prevention, pre-hospital EMS care, hospital-based care, rehabilitation and re-entry of the child into the community.
Safe Kids
AAP/ACEP/ENA Guidelines on Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department (updated 2018)
The AAP, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), published updated joint guidelines in the November 2018 issue of Pediatrics titled, “Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department,” that recommends ways health care providers can make sure every injured or critically ill child receives the best care possible. This is a revision of a 2009 AAP policy statement (Guidelines on Care of Children in Emergency Departments) and highlights recent advances in pediatric emergency care that can be incorporated into all hospital emergency departments that care for children. The statement emphasizes the importance of evidence–based guidelines and includes additional recommendations for quality improvement plans focusing on children and disaster preparedness.
- Joint Policy Statement-Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department (Updated 2018)
- Guidelines for the Care of Children in the ED: 2009 (Retired 2018)
- ED Checklist: 2009 (Retired 2018) (PDF)
Handoffs: Transitions of Care for Children in the Emergency Department - AAP Policy Statement
An AAP policy statement authored by the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine titled “Handoffs: Transitions of Care for Children in the Emergency Department” was released in the e-pages of Pediatrics in October 2016. The statement is joint with the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Nurses Association. The rationale for structuring transitions of care (ToCs), specifically those related to the care of children in the emergency setting, and a description of identified strategies are presented, along with resources for educating health care providers on ToCs.
Standardization of Inpatient Handoff Communication – AAP Policy Statement
A policy statement from the Committee on Hospital Care from the American Academy of Pediatrics entitled, “Standardization of Inpatient Handoff Communication” was released in November 2016. Handoff communication is identified as an integral part of hospital care. Throughout medical communities, inadequate handoff communication is being highlighted as a significant risk to patients. The complexity of hospitals and the number of providers involved in the care of hospitalized patients place inpatients at high risk of communication lapses. This miscommunication and the potential resulting harm make effective handoffs more critical than ever. Although hospitalized patients are being exposed to many handoffs each day, this report is limited to describing the best handoff practices between providers at the time of shift change.
Child Abuse and Maltreatment
EMTs were added to the list of mandated reporters of suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment in February 1, 2002. While EMTs are not specifically required to obtain training in child abuse and maltreatment, the Bureau of EMS EMSC Program has been able to develop and identify training options to assist EMS providers in carrying out their mandated reporter responsibilities.
- Bureau of EMS Guidance letter regarding the Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect by EMTs (PDF)
- Bureau of EMS Policy Statement 02-01 Requirement to report instances of suspected child abuse or maltreatment
- Bureau of EMS Policy Statement 02-01 Requirement to report instances of suspected child abuse or maltreatment (PDF)
- NYS Suspected Child Abuse Report Form, LDSS Form 2221A (PDF)
- Local Department of Social Services Offices
- FAQs for Mandated Reporters
Child Abuse Training
Mandated Reporter Training From the NYS Office of Children and Family Services
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Training is available online. This training is fully narrated and interactive, the two-hour Self-Directed Online Mandated Reporter Training saves your progress as you complete each 10-15 minute section and allows you up to 30 days to complete upon registering. This training meets the New York State Education Department's mandatory requirements for training in child abuse identification and reporting.
- Click here for no-cost online Mandated Reporter Training in child abuse and neglect/maltreatment identification.