Tuesday, October 3, 2023
10/3/2023
Address: 422 S. 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1824 Project Director Name: Jason Kegg, MD Contact Phone: 312-793-1234 Contact Email Address: Evelyn.Lyons@illinois.gov Website Address: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/emergency-preparedness-response/ems/emsc.html PROBLEM Illinois has worked to implement and institutionalize the Federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Performance Measures (PM) and Pediatric Readiness initiatives which support benchmarking and tracking progress within our own state and across the country. Although substantial pediatric gains have been made over the years, much work remains. Some Federal EMSC Performance Measures have not been fully achieved in Illinois and new federal priorities need to be developed/implemented. These initiatives are essential, along with expanding our hospital pediatric recognition program and sustaining previous achievements. GOALS/OBJECTIVES The grant goal is to implement and maintain the Federal EMSC PMs, and continue to enhance the pediatric readiness of our state’s EMS System, by: ? Maintain and expand our pediatric hospital recognition program ? Increase our state median score in National Hospital Pediatric Readiness Assessment by 10 points, with a particular emphasis on our 57 Critical Access Hospitals ? Develop a standardized recognition program for EMS agencies ? Increase the number of EMS agencies that designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator and have processes for pediatric-specific equipment skill checks ? Increase pediatric disaster readiness in hospital emergency departments and EMS agencies ? Advance family partnership and leadership efforts METHODOLOGY Education and resources will be provided to hospitals to increase Pediatric Readiness scores. The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network will be contracted to target their hospitals. A standardized recognition program for EMS agencies will be developed and plans outlined to incr ease EMS PECC’s and skill check processes. A family partnership strategic plan will be developed with ongoing support of our FAN representative on the EMSC Advisory Board. Statewide assessments will be conducted to identify progress/status. Online surveys and resources will be provided by the EMSC Data Center (EDC) and EMSC staff will coordinate data collection. Data analysis of assessment data and state databases will be conducted. Findings will be shared with key stakeholders via email, meetings, and website. The state EMSC Advisory Board, EMSC committees, EMSC project team, FAN representative and other EMSC coalition members will continue to educate/advocate for achievement of the grant goals and objectives. COORDINATION The Illinois EMSC program and Division of EMS & Highway Safety within the Illinois Department of Public Health will coordinate these grant activities. The grant Project Director, EMSC Manager and EMSC staff are responsible for all project activities and will coordinate with EDC on various needs assessments and data collection activities. EVALUATION Our state EMSC Advisory Board will continue to provide leadership, guidance and evaluation during this grant. The Advisory Board (and Facility Recognition & QI Committee, Pediatric Prehospital Committee, Pediatric Preparedness Workgroup), will critically review and evaluate data obtained through the various assessments conducted during the grant project, including National Pediatric Readiness Assessments. Progress will be assessed to identify opportunities for improvement and delineate implementation strategies. ANNOTATION Federal EMSC performance measures and new priorities need to be fully achieved in Illinois. During this grant project, needs assessments will be conducted and strategies pursued to ensure compliance with these measures. Educating key stakeholders on the need to advocate for the emergency care needs of children will further efforts to improve pediatric emergen cy care outcomes in Illinois.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
