1. Pilot statewide study of pediatric emergency department alignment with national guidelines.
- Author
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Costich JF, Fallat ME, Scaggs CM, and Bartlett R
- Subjects
- Child, Child Health Services economics, Child Health Services statistics & numerical data, Disposable Equipment economics, Disposable Equipment standards, Disposable Equipment supply & distribution, Durable Medical Equipment economics, Durable Medical Equipment standards, Durable Medical Equipment supply & distribution, Emergency Service, Hospital economics, Emergency Service, Hospital statistics & numerical data, Equipment Design, Equipment and Supplies, Hospital economics, Equipment and Supplies, Hospital standards, Equipment and Supplies, Hospital supply & distribution, Financing, Government, Health Care Surveys, Health Services Needs and Demand, Hospitals, Rural economics, Hospitals, Rural standards, Hospitals, Rural statistics & numerical data, Hospitals, Urban economics, Hospitals, Urban standards, Hospitals, Urban statistics & numerical data, Humans, Kentucky, Pilot Projects, Child Health Services standards, Emergency Service, Hospital standards, Guideline Adherence, Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Abstract
Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nursing Association have developed consensus guidelines for pediatric emergency department policies, procedures, supplies, and equipment. Kentucky received funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Emergency Medical Services for Children program to pilot test the guidelines with the state's hospitals. In addition to providing baseline data regarding institutional alignment with the guidelines, the survey supported development of grant funding to procure missing items., Methods: Survey administration was undertaken by staff and members of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services for Children work group and faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health and the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Responses were solicited primarily online with repeated reminders and offers of assistance., Results: Seventy respondents completed the survey section on supplies and equipment either online or by fax. Results identified items unavailable at 20% or more of responding facilities, primarily the smallest sizes of equipment. The survey section addressing policy and procedure received only 16 responses., Conclusions: Kentucky facilities were reasonably well equipped by national standards, but rural facilities and small hospitals did not stock the smallest equipment sizes because of low reported volume of pediatric emergency department cases. Thus, a centralized procurement process that gives them access to an adequate range of pediatric supplies and equipment would support capacity building for the care of children across the entire state. Grant proposals were received from 28 facilities in the first 3 months of funding availability.
- Published
- 2013
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