Maryland EMSC Enhancement Grant
(1994-1997)

1) Created a forum for ongoing communication and to identify the issues related to pediatric emergency care services and the strengths and weaknesses within each of the five EMS regions and the State of Maryland.

• Established Regional Pediatric Advisory Committees in each of the five EMS regions in Maryland, consisting of professional and community members with a strong commitment to emergency care of children.

• Performed a survey of the regional resources and strengths for pediatrics that includes successful educational programs, potential pediatric faculty, injury prevention activities for children and families, quality management systems, available data on childhood illness and injury within each prehospital jurisdiction and emergency departments.

• Identified and set priorities for the current pediatric issues in the delivery of quality pediatric EMS care along the continuum in each of the five EMS regions. To delineate common issues and problems between regions, as well as the unique concerns within a specific region and/or jurisdiction.

2) Defined the pediatric capabilities in Emergency Departments in each of the five EMS Regions, including professional resources, education, quality improvement, databases and data management systems, as well as to reevaluate pediatric equipment and pharmacological resources.

• Developed an Emergency Department Resource inventory and survey tool for emergency departments within Maryland.

• Reviewed the existing guidelines for pediatric emergency care, including prehospital BLS and ALS, Emergency Departments, the triage system, and professional and public education programs directed toward children and their families.

• Made available resources and references for pediatric continuing education for EMS and hospital professionals.

• Developed Pediatric Trauma and Pediatric Medical workshops and disseminated them throughout the five EMS regions. 
November, 2001