COPEM 2012-2013

Joan E Shook, MD
Chairperson

Alice D Ackerman MD MBA
Thomas H Chun MD MPH
Gregory P Conners MD MPH MBA
Nanette C Dudley MD
Susan M Fuchs MD
Marc H Gorelick, MD MSCE
Natalie E Lane MD
Brian R Moore MD
Joseph L Wright MD MPH

Staff
Susan Tellez Manager
Division of Hospital and
Surgical Services
847-434-7395
stellez@aap.org

The AAP Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine (COPEM) addresses the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents in the access to and delivery of pediatric emergency care.

As an advocate for Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC), the Committee utilizes its resources to foster national programs and policy designed to heighten professional and public knowledge of such issues as prehospital care of children and EMS, pediatric life support, hospital resources for the delivery of pediatric emergency care including essential equipment, supplies, staffing, and protocols.

The Committee serves as a voice for EMSC within and outside the Academy and is a liaison member of the EMSC National Resource Center Partnership for Children Stakeholder Group, American College of Emergency Physicians Pediatric Committee, and American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.


~ Disaster Preparedness

~ Section on Emergency Medicine

~ Section on Critical Care

~ AAP Committees

~ AAP Sections & Councils

What's New?

AAP PARTNERS IN NATIONAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
PEDIATRIC READINESS PROJECT

The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a new national assessment of pediatric readiness in EDs across the U.S. Beginning in January 2013, the first step in this multi-phase initiative is a confidential web-based survey based on the 2009 joint American Academy of Pediatrics/American College of Emergency Physicians/Emergency Nurses Association “Guidelines for the Care of Children in the Emergency Department.” The overall project objective is to assess pediatric readiness of EDs while increasing awareness of the national guidelines. The guidelines are endorsed by 22 other organizations, including the Joint Commission and the American Medical Association.

For more infomation about the project and how you can help, click here.

Use this checklist to see how well prepared your ED is to care for children.

UPDATED CLINICAL REPORT

Relief of Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Patients in Emergency Medical Systems
Control of pain and stress for children is a vital component of emergency medical care. Timely administration of analgesia affects the entire emergency medical experience and can have a lasting effect on a child’s and family’s reaction to current and future medical care. A systematic approach to pain management and anxiolysis, including staff education and protocol development, can provide comfort to children in the emergency setting and improve staff and family satisfaction.

AAP News Article (November 2012): AAP Report Highlights Benefits of Managing Pain in Emergency Systems

UPDATED POLICY STATEMENT

The Role of the Pediatrician in Rural Emergency Medical Services for Children
In rural America, pediatricians can play a key role in the development, implementation, and ongoing supervision of emergency medical services for children. Pediatricians may represent the only source of pediatric expertise for a large region and are a vital resource for rural physicians (eg, general and family practice, emergency medicine) and other rural health care professionals physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and emergency medical technicians), providing education about management and prevention of pediatric illness and injury; appropriate equipment for the acutely ill or injured child; and acute, chronic, and rehabilitative care. In addition to providing clinical expertise, the pediatrician may be involved in quality assurance, clinical protocol development, and advocacy, and may serve as a liaison between emergency medical services and other entities working with children (eg, school nurses, child care centers, athletic programs, and programs for children with special health care needs).

ONLINE CME HOT TOPIC COURSE NOW AVAILABLE THRU AAP'S PediaLink®!
Office & Emergency Department Preparedness
Authors: Marianne Gausche-Hill, MD & Robert Wiebe, MD, FAAP
Pediatricians report seeing 2 patients per week requiring emergency treatment or hospitalization, and 24 million children visit the emergency department (ED) each year. Is your office or ED prepared to take care of such emergencies? Take 30 minutes to learn the guidelines for the care of children in the office and ED settings.
To register for this course, click here:

Other Key Resources on ED Readiness