DELAWARE IS FIFTH STATE TO IMPLEMENT INCLUSIVE STATEWIDE PEDIATRIC SYSTEM

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) announces the completion Dec. 30 of the initial phase of development of Delaware's Statewide Pediatric System through recognition of Delaware's hospitals as Pediatric Emergency Care Facilities. According to the EMSC National Resource Center, Delaware is only the fifth state in the nation to successfully implement the Pediatric Emergency Care Facility Recognition Program.

Like the Delaware Trauma System, the role of the pediatric system is to organize resources and assure their immediate availability at all times and in all geographic areas of the system. Research over time has shown that the coordination of resources which takes place as a Trauma System develops can result in dramatic reductions in deaths due to injury. In fact, population based evidence supports a 15 to 20 percent improved survival rate among seriously injured patients with trauma system implementation.

The purpose of having statewide pediatric standards for the emergency departments is to take the first step in organizing a system of emergency care for children in Delaware.

"We are proud that every Delaware hospital has chosen to be part of this emergency care system for children," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "This is an opportunity to recognize their commitment to excellence in pediatric care. Having an inclusive statewide pediatric system means that every child will receive the benefit of an entire system of specialized pediatric care if they should need it."

Every Delaware acute care hospital that treats children voluntarily chose to participate in this new program, which required them to meet state standards and be visited by a review team. Since 2007, DPH's Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Standards Committee, a group of 19 Delaware clinical emergency care experts, has worked to develop the statewide Pediatric Emergency Care Facility Recognition Program to standardize emergency medical care for children.

Development of such a program is a performance measure of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) national EMSC program. Delaware's Standards Committee relied upon documents and regulations adopted in other states such as California, Illinois and Tennessee as models for the Delaware program.

The following hospitals were recognized as Delaware Pediatric Emergency Care Facilities:

• Level 1 - Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington The Level 1 facility is capable of providing comprehensive specialized pediatric medical and surgical care to all acutely ill and injured children. This facility serves as a regional referral center for the specialized care of pediatric patients.
• Level 2 - Christiana Hospital, Christiana Care Health System, Newark The Level 2 facility is capable of identifying and stabilizing pediatric patients who are critically ill or injured and providing ongoing inpatient care or appropriate timely transfer to a Level 1facility.
• Level 3 - Bayhealth Medical Center, Kent General Hospital, Dover
  Bayhealth Medical Center, Milford Memorial Hospital, Milford
  Beebe Medical Center, Lewes
  Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford
  St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington
  Wilmington Hospital, Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington
  A Level 3 facility is capable of identifying and stabilizing those pediatric patients who are critically ill or injured and providing appropriate timely transfer to a higher level of care. Level 3 facilities have capabilities for the management of minor pediatric inpatient problems.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.