New Hampshire Emergency Medical Services for Children Project (EMSC)

Director: Bill Boyle, MD
Program Director: Janet Houston, MA

Description:
The New Hampshire Emergency Medical Services for Children Project (EMSC) is part of a federal initiative which aims to improve the level of pediatric emergency care. Housed and administered in the Department of Community and Family Medicine, EMSC is representative of the Department's interdisciplinary and community oriented focus. Its approach is broad based and considers the full continuum of issues ranging from injury prevention to improved rehabilitation outcome for pediatric emergencies with audiences ranging from EMTs and pediatricians, to families and day care providers etc. This builds upon over 20 years of efforts by the Department to train Fast Squads (EMTs) throughout New Hampshire and Vermont.

Goals:

1. Educate and Train Emergency Medical Personnel

Advanced Pediatric Life Support: a class for physicians

2. Provide Injury Prevention Programs & Public Education

Emergency Nursing Education Program: a course designed to provide core-level knowledge and technical skills associated with delivery of professional nursing care to the pediatric patient
Planning to Avoid Childhood Emergencies (PACE): 2 hour program for EMTs and First Responders designed to teach parents, child care providers or anyone who cares for children

3. Enhance Pediatric Emergency Care

Pediatric Trauma Care: 14 hour class for EMTs including child anatomy and physiology, pediatric injury and management, practical skill learning labs, pediatric trauma scenarios

4. Collect and Analyze Data of Pediatric Injury Patterns

Evaluation:
The success of EMSC is evident because of its continued financial support from outside sources. Since 1977, the Department has relied on federal, state and local support in its efforts to train and evaluate state-wide EMS activities. Among the projects outlined above, EMSC is currently working on implementing a statewide pediatric trauma system as well as publishing an educational guide for families whose children have had traumatic brain injuries for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit here at Dartmouth. Participants in EMSCs classes are asked at the end of each class to complete an evaluation in order to receive Continuing Education credits.