Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Children with special health care needs: a template for prehospital protocol development
Tasmeen Singh1, Joseph L Wright, Terry A Adirim
1Center for Prehospital Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Prehospital providers increasingly encounter children with special health care needs (CSHCN). New protocols were developed to improve emergency care for CSHCN, serving as a template for customized guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medical Services
- Public Health
Background:
- An increasing number of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are cared for in their homes.
- CSHCN often require emergency care, presenting unique challenges for prehospital providers.
- Existing emergency medical services (EMS) protocols lack specific components for CSHCN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop standardized prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) protocols for children with special health care needs (CSHCN).
- To provide a resource template for developing jurisdiction-specific guidelines for CSHCN care.
Main Methods:
- Protocol development supported by the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program.
- Collaboration with the Center for Prehospital Pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center.
- Detailed review of CSHCN needs and existing EMS practices.
Main Results:
- Development of comprehensive prehospital protocols tailored for CSHCN.
- Protocols address field assessment, management, and stabilization of CSHCN.
- The developed protocols are intended as a template for customization.
Conclusions:
- Standardized prehospital protocols are crucial for improving emergency care for CSHCN.
- The developed protocols offer a valuable resource for EMS agencies nationwide.
- Customization of protocols is recommended for optimal implementation in local settings.
Abstract:
There are 12 million children in the United States with special health care needs. Improvements in medical technology, managed care, and changing social views about the institutionalization of children have all contributed to an increasing number of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) residing primarily in their home communities. Because of the dynamic and fragile nature of the medical conditions typically borne by CSHCN, the need for emergency care is not uncommon and prehospital providers are increasingly likely to encounter this population. Few states have initiated emergency medical services (EMS) protocols addressing field assessment, management, and stabilization of CSHCN and existing model protocols have not yet incorporated a distinct CSHCN component. With the support of grant funding from the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program, a project was undertaken by investigators in the Center for Prehospital Pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center to develop prehospital protocols for CSHCN. This report details the protocol development process, discusses suggestions for their use, and presents the detailed protocols. The protocols are intended to serve as a resource template for the development and/or revision of jurisdiction-specific, customized practice guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Planning Nursing Care II
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
01:17Flow Sheet
Here's a closer look at the examples of flowsheets commonly used by nurses:
Graphic Sheet Documentation:
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...