2012 EMSC Pediatric-Related News


Webinar Now Available: Introduction to NEMSIS and Its Potential Uses in Syndromic Surveillance (04/27/2012)

The United States. 9-1-1 and EMS systems provide critical, time sensitive care to millions of patients every year. While EMS typically provides medical care to one patient at a time, data from EMS patient records and 9-1-1 calls can be used to enhance public health surveillance efforts. This webinar gives an overview of the EMS systems and the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS), and discusses how NEMSIS can be used in syndromic surveillance.


AHRQ Lists Pediatric Quality Measures Program (PQMP) Centers of Excellence Grant Awards (04/26/2012)

The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) has put together a fact sheet describing the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Pediatric Quality Measures Program (PQMP). The fact sheet also summarizes the seven cooperative agreement grants awarded by AHRQ to support the CHIPRA PQMP Centers of Excellence.


UNC Offers Free Online Trainings in Influenza Preparedness, Disease Surveillance, Bioterrorism, and More! (04/23/2012)

The University of North Carolina's (UNC) Center for Public Health Preparedness offers several free short internet-based trainings on public health preparedness topics, such as disease surveillance, basic epidemiology, bioterrorism, and new/emerging disease agents. Trainings address emergency readiness competencies plus core public health and epidemiology competencies. Free continuing education credits for trainings are available.


HRSA Releases Award Management Tutorial (04/16/2012)

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is pleased to announce the development of its Award Management Tutorial. This tutorial provides important information that will assist awardees in the successful administration and fiscal management of their grant award and or cooperative agreement. While this tutorial highlights or summarizes important issues, it does not serve as a substitute for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grants Policy Statement (GPS) or any other federal requirements, program requirements, provisions or terms of award.


NHTSA Unveils Campaign to Prevent Child Heatstroke Deaths in Cars (04/13/2012)

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched its first-ever national campaign to prevent child heatstroke deaths in cars, urging parents and caregivers to think "Where's baby? Look before you lock." Heatstroke contributes to many non-crash, vehicle-related deaths and with unseasonably warm temperatures already striking many areas around the country, it is more vital than ever to establish a nation and community wide call-to-action.

NHTSA will launch a series of radio and online advertisements centered around the theme "Where's baby? Look before you lock," as well as a toolkit for parents and grassroots organizations to use in local outreach on the issue.


HRSA Revitalizes Stop Bullying Website (04/12/2012)

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in partnership with the Department of Education, has re-launched its stopbullying.gov website to emphasize action steps individuals can take to prevent and stop bullying in their schools and communities. The new site features easy-to-use tools and resources for community leaders, young people, and families, including:

You can also follow StopBullying.gov on Twitter or Facebook for more information on how to take action.


NICH Offers Handbook for Families and Providers to Work Together to Improve Care (03/23/2012)

The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICH) offers Powerful Partnerships: Handbook for Families and Providers Working Together to Improve Care. This handbook helps both family members and healthcare professionals who are working together to improve care for children with special healthcare needs and includes information and guidance on how to get the most out of this potentially powerful partnership.


Register for AHRQ's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Webinar Series (03/19/2012)

The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) is hosting a two-part webinar series on April 11 and April 18 on the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) databases, product, and tools. The first one-hour session, on April 11, introduces HCUP databases and related resources. Health services and policy researchers can learn how HCUP can enhance their research studies. The second one-hour session, on April 18, introduces HCUP products and tools that facilitate research, with particular emphasis on HCUPnet, the free online data query system. Separate registration for each webinar is required. Registration closes April 6 or when maximum capacity is reached.


NCDMPH Prioritizes Topics for Development of A Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Curriculum (03/16/2012)

In March of 2011, the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) convened a panel of federal experts to begin the process of developing pediatric learning objects for a pediatric disaster preparedness curriculum. At the conclusion of the meeting, three prioritized topics for initial development were identified: Tracking and Reunification of Pediatric Disaster Victims, Overview of Radiation Exposure in Children, and Psychosocial Impacts on Children.

This pilot effort is the direct result of the recommendations made at the Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Curriculum Development Conference. A one-page fact sheet has recently been released detailing updates on the meeting, format plans for the learning modules, and more. Proceedings, recommendations, and a summary of discussion are available in the conference report.


IOM Releases Report on Safe and Effective Medicines for Children (03/15/2012)

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released the consensus report Safe and Effective Medicines for Children: Pediatric Studies Conducted Under the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children (BPCA) and the Pediatric Research Equity Acts (PREA). BPCA and PREA were designed to encourage more pediatric studies of drugs used for children.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the IOM to "review aspects of pediatric studies and changes in product labeling that resulted from BPCA and PREA and their predecessor policies, as well as assess the incentives for pediatric studies of biologics and the extent to which biologics have been studied in children. The IOM committee concludes that these policies have helped provide clinicians who care for children with better information about the efficacy, safety, and appropriate prescribing of drugs. The IOM suggests that more can be done to increase knowledge about drugs used by children and thereby improve the clinical care, health, and well-being of the nation's children."


AHRQ Seeks Submission of Measures of Children’s Health Care Quality for CHIPRA 2013 (03/12/2012)

The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) is soliciting measures of children's health care quality for potential inclusion in the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) 2013. These measures could become part of an Improved Core Set of Health Care Quality Measures for potential voluntary use by State Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs, or be used for other potential purposes under CHIPRA. Deadline for submissions is April 24.


March 18-24 is National Poison Prevention Week (03/09/2012)

It is the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week, which is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of poisoning. Poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in the United States – ahead of motor vehicle accidents.

The nation's 57 poison control centers (PCCs) provide triage and treatment for possible poisoning exposures. They are also a helpful resource for non-emergency issues, including questions about medications. The toll-free Poison Help line (800-222-1222) connects callers to a poison expert at their local poison center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Calls to poison centers are free and confidential.

Of the 4 million calls PCCs receive a year, approximately 400,000 calls are from healthcare facilities. PCCs are not just a resource for patients, but for providers as well.

  • Consult a colleague on a poisoning case when you need the latest protocols.

  • Obtain up to-date information on emergent health issues, such as food and drug recalls.

  • Get help with identification of toxic substances or drugs including emerging substances of abuse like synthetic drugs.

  • Request locally relevant information including data about the most common poison exposures in your area.


AHRQ Releases New Podcast Series on Quality Improvement (03/05/2012)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announces free training opportunities for TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety), a set of evidence-based, practical tools to help hospitals and other health care providers strengthen teamwork among caregivers with the goal of improving patient safety.

AHRQ and the Department of Defense designed the TeamSTEPPS program specifically for health care providers for use in a variety of care settings. All materials, training, and enrollment in the online user support network are free. Registration is required.


MCHB Seeking Comments on Its National Plan for MCH Training (03/02/2012)

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau's (MCHB) Division of Research, Training, and Education is developing the 2012–2020 National Plan for MCH Training. This plan will include MCH Training grantee-specific objectives and strategies applicable to a range of organizations that serve MCH populations. Recommendations on draft goals and objectives for the plan are now available for comment. Comments will be accepted until March 12, 2012. For more information, please contact Denise Sofka at the Division of Research, Training, and Education or Sheryl Mathis at the MCH Training and Research Resource Center.


Call for Nominations: 2012 Council on Community Pediatrics Awards (02/27/2012)

The Council on Community Pediatrics (COCP), a part of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is seeking nominations for its 2012 COCP Awards. COCP will recognize leaders in the community pediatrics field at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition for the following awards:

  • Job Lewis Smith Award
  • Calvin C J Sia Community Pediatrics Medical Home Leadership & Advocacy Award
  • Local Heroes Awards - View 2012 Call for Nominations
  • Outstanding Achievement in the Application of Epidemiologic Information to Child Health Advocacy (joint with the Section on Epidemiology)
  • National Pediatric Community Teaching Award

To nominate an individual for an award, review the full call for nominations and submit the applicable nomination materials by 5:00 pm (Central) March 23, 2012.


Legislation Introduced to Raise Awareness of Cardiomyopathy Through Schools (02/17/2012)

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) recently introduced H.R. 3625, the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment, and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act of 2011. One of the leading causes of death for both adults and children who are on school property is sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, many people who experience such an arrest have an undiagnosed heart condition, such as cardiomyopathy. Therefore, this bill raises awareness amongst parents, schools, and health care professionals of the risks of cardiomyopathy. It also recommends that schools and child care centers develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans and that guidelines be developed for the placement and training on the use of automated external defibrillators in these settings, among other provisions.


Global Health & Disasters Course to Focus on Children and Disasters (02/10/12)

The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Center for Global Health will offer a two-week Global Health & Disasters Course (formerly 'Tropical Medicine Course') from November 5-16 in Aurora, CO. The first four days of the course will focus on children in disasters and the remaining six days will focus on global health. The course prepares participants for international experiences and future global health work. This is an intensive training course that incorporates readings, lectures, small group problem-based learning exercises, technical skill sessions, and a disaster simulation exercise.


AHRQ Seeks Pediatric Inpatient Quality of Care Measures (02/06/12)

The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) has posted a Request for Measures and Domains to Use in the Development of A Standardized Instrument for Use in Public Reporting of Family Experience of Pediatric Inpatient Care. AHRQ is calling for researchers, hospitals, vendors, stakeholders, and other interested parties to submit candidate measures or domains that measure families' satisfaction with the quality of inpatient medical or surgical care provided to pediatric patients.


Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care Offers Webinar on Creating Patient and Family Advisory Councils (02/03/12)

The Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care "provides leadership to advance the understanding and practice of patient- and family-centered care in hospitals and other health care settings." On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Institute will host a webinar from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (Eastern) on Creating Patient and Family Advisory Councils. The webinar will educate the community on approaches to developing partnerships with patients and families as advisors. Please note there is a cost associated with this webinar.


EMS Today to Host Pediatric Hybrid Course (02/03/12)

EMS Today will be taking place February 28- March 3, 2012, in Baltimore, MD. During this conference, an emergency pediatric care hybrid course will be offered to provide students with the opportunity to gain insight into the evaluation and treatment of pediatric patients. Registration is required for this course.


HHS Releases The Global Health Strategy (01/23/12)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released The Global Health Strategy in an effort to help guide "global efforts to prevent disease, disability, and death; promote health and well-being; advance knowledge and innovation; and strengthen partnerships and systems to improve responsiveness to myriad health challenges at home and abroad."


AAP to Implement Disaster Outreach and Collaboration for Kids Project (01/20/12)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago Library of the Health Sciences, will be implementing a Disaster Outreach and Collaboration for Kids Project with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine. The project will improve preparedness and response efforts for children by supporting pediatricians and librarians to work collaboratively and improve use of and access to disaster medicine and public health information.

The AAP is seeking contact information for pediatricians who are involved in previous or existing projects with librarians. Their efforts do not need to be related to disaster preparedness. Names and contact information can be submitted to DisasterReady@aap.org.


FEMA Offers Disaster Preparedness Applications for Mobile Devices (01/18/2012)

New Apple and Android apps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contain preparedness information for different types of disasters, an interactive checklist for emergency kits, a section to plan emergency meeting locations, information on how to stay safe and recover after a disaster, a map with FEMA Disaster Recovery Center locations, and the FEMA blog.

In addition, FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission have collaborated to create a fact sheet to assist personal communications following a disaster that includes two important sets of tips. The first will help you prepare your home and mobile devices for a disaster. The second may help you communicate more effectively during and immediately after a disaster and is an excellent resource to assist local planning.


GAO Report Highlights Data Collection for Pediatric Medical Devices (01/17/2012)

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the development of pediatric devices lags years behind the development of devices for adults. The FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA) provided incentives to develop devices for children, particularly devices that receive FDA's humanitarian device exemption (HDE), a process for devices that treat or diagnose rare diseases or conditions.

The new report, Pediatric Medical Devices: Provisions Support Development but Better Data Needed for Required Reporting, released from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) (1) describes barriers to developing pediatric devices, (2) describes how pediatric device consortia have contributed to the development of pediatric devices, and (3) examines FDA data on the number of pediatric devices approved since FDAAA was enacted. GAO recommends that FDA collect reliable information to report data on pediatric medical devices by consistently using its existing pediatric electronic flag in its tracking system or otherwise developing internal controls.


Michigan Develops Emergency Preparedness Curriculum for Schools (01/13/2012)

The Michigan Department of Community Health, in partnership with the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Education, recently released the Emergency Preparedness Curriculum to teach children in first through 12th grade about common hazards and disasters, and to help them develop emergency preparedness skills and safety habits.

The curriculum was released to all public and private schools for the 2011-12 school year and has been integrated into the Michigan Model for Health currently being taught in more than 90 percent of Michigan's public schools, 200 private schools, and 39 other states, which utilize the Michigan Model for Health in their school systems. The Michigan Model for Health is a nationally acclaimed program that has been providing comprehensive health education to school-aged children since 1984.

The Emergency Preparedness project began in 2007 and was funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


Child Maltreatment 2010 Report Shows Decrease in Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect (01/10/2012)

The US Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released its annual report on child abuse and neglect — Child Maltreatment 2010. For the fourth consecutive year, the report shows a steady decline in the number of victims who suffered maltreatment. Additional information on prevention of child abuse is available at Child Welfare Information Gateway.


National EMS Culture of Safety Draft 2 Available for Comment (01/09/2012)

The National EMS Culture of Safety is a three-year cooperative agreement between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with support from the Health Resources and Services Administration's EMSC Program and the American College of Emergency Physicians. The agreement has brought together representatives from national EMS and fire organizations to develop a national EMS "Culture of Safety" Strategy. Draft 2 of the Strategy is now available for comment.


FICEMS Releases 2011 National EMS Assessment (01/06/2012)

The Federal Interagency Committee for Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) has released the 2011 National EMS Assessment. This report provides the first-ever comprehensive description of emergency medical services, EMS emergency preparedness, and 911 systems at state and national levels using existing data sources. These data will allow the officials responsible for improving EMS systems to benchmark current and future performance and identify areas of strength and weakness