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Pictured from left are Tanisha Morales – RN, John Schaum – PA-C, Pediatric Patient – Nicole Robertson, and Curt Beerens – Emergency Department Director.
Globe – Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center’s (CVRMC) Emergency Department recently became certified by the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AzAAP) as a Pediatric Prepared Level of Care.
This certification means the facility meets specific criteria and is everyday ready to provide emergency care resources and capabilities for pediatric patients. If necessary, the hospital can stabilize a child for transfer to a facility that offers more specialized pediatric care.
“This certification reflects another milestone in patient care, demonstrating CVRMC’s dedication to the families we serve,” states Neal Jensen, CVRMC CEO. “The rigorous process of becoming Pediatric Prepared requires significant training and equipment which has enhanced our ability to provide pediatric emergency care to our children.”
Arizona is among five states to implement a pediatric emergency care system. Certification is voluntary and is a quality improvement process that includes matching hospital capabilities and capacity to established guidelines through a self-assessment process and a site visit by a team of peer professionals. Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care is a private-public partnership among hospitals, health care professionals, emergency personnel and state agencies throughout Arizona, committed to an effective regionalized pediatric emergency care system.
“We have had great support from many different sources during this certification phase,” states Curt Beerens, CVRMC Emergency Department Director. “I appreciate and thank each of you as we move forward and continue to strive to improve the services we provide every day to our community.”
Since 2008, Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Injury Prevention has spearheaded the effort to launch the pediatric emergency department certification / regionalized system. In 2010, AzAAP established the certification, and currently conducts certification reviews and offers continuing pediatric emergency education.
AzAAP’s President, Dr. Delphis Richardson also noted that through this program, the Chapter and ADHS have identified two key areas for improvement in the state: the need for more pediatric resources devoted to mental health as well as disaster preparedness. The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of over 900 primary care pediatricians, pediatric specialists, nurses and other pediatric health care providers dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Visit www.AzAAP.org for more information
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