Individuals who coordinate pediatric emergency care at EMS jurisdictions and hospitals are referred to as pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs). The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal Child Health Bureau measures each state’s performance, benchmarking the percentage of EMS agencies that have identified PECCs. In 2019, three of Louisiana’s EMS agencies agreed to partner with the EMS for Children program to create a statewide PECC consortium. The program provided guidance and tools for the PECCs and asked them to document their successes and challenges, while also recruiting neighboring EMS agencies to identify a PECC and invite them to shared learning experiences.
This presentation will include first-hand stories from PECCs who have worked within their agency and the state over the last four years. They will share success stories for improving the care of children and increasing EMS clinicians’ comfort with treating children. They will also share challenges and describe how they were able to overcome them. They will offer advice to other EMS clinicians interested in serving as a PECC in their own jurisdiction. They will also provide a perspective on the benefits of shared learning through a network of PECCs and efforts to create a statewide recognition program.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the role of a PECC in an EMS agency or jurisdiction
Access tools and resources that are available to help PECCs be successful
Learn how to measure the success of the PECC role to advocate for your agency