Children account for up to 20% of emergency department visits. In the US, up to 90% of children’s visits to emergency departments are to general EDs. The weighted pediatric readiness score (WPRS) was developed to assess the level of readiness of emergency departments to care for pediatric patients. The last assessment was in 2013 showed a mean score of 68.9. High readiness scores have been associated with decreased mortality. The same holds true for children with injuries presenting to trauma centers. The higher the WPRS score, the lower the risk of in hospital death. There was no difference if the patient presented in cardiac arrest. A 10 point increase in WPRS is associated with a lower odds of potentially avoidable transfers in both trauma and medical patients. More recent data has been collected, but has not yet been published. More information on pediatric readiness (for hospitals and EMS) can be found at: https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pediatric-readiness/.
Bottom line: Being Pediatric Ready improves the care of children.
References
Harper JA, Coyle AC, Tam C, Skakum M, Ragheb M, Wilson L, Lê ML, Klassen TP, Aregbesola A. Readiness of emergency departments for pediatric patients and pediatric mortality: a systematic review. CMAJ Open. 2023 Oct 17;11(5):E956-E968. doi: 10.9778/cmajo.20210337. PMID: 37848258; PMCID: PMC10586495.
