EMS for Children
The mission of the Emergency Medical Services for Children (E.M.S.C.) Program is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity caused by severe illness or trauma. EMS for Children aims to ensure that
- State of the art emergency medical care is available for the ill and injured child or adolescent;
- Pediatric service is well integrated into an emergency medical service system backed by optimal resources; and
- The entire spectrum of emergency services, including primary prevention of illness and injury, acute care and rehabilitation is provided to children and adolescents as well as adults, no matter where they live, attend school or travel.
Goals and Objectives
Montana EMSC's Program focuses on:
- Strengthening Montana's Pediatric Readiness.
- Increasing the number of Montana hospitals that are formally recognized as Pediatric Prepared or a Pediatric Capable Facility.
- Increasing Montana's Emergency Medical Services Prehospital Pediatrics capabilities.
New Additions
The Engage-Calm-Distract Toolkit was developed for medical providers with strategies for reducing children's distress reactions and providing distraction activities when performing medical procedures.
The purpose of the EMSC Advisory Committee is to help EMSTS reduce the incidence of pediatric injury and illness in Montana, as well as to promote and advance excellence in the care of injured children.
EMSC/Pediatric Ready Advisory Council Members
Committee Member | Affiliation |
Alyssa Johnson, RN, CEN | Trauma Systems Manager - EMS & Trauma Systems - DPHHS |
Laura Forcella | St. Vincent Health Care, Pediatric Nurse Manger |
Lori Roberts | Lifelong Learning Librarian/EMT - Montana State Library |
Jennifer Banna | MT Family to Family Health Information Center - University of Montana |
Buck Herron | Law Enforcement Representative (retired) |
Janet Miller | EMS Provider, FAN Representative, Co-Chair |
Katie Sheely | Children's Special Health Services, Nurse Consultant |
Cindee McKee | Montana Hospital Association (MHA) |
Clint Loss | Montana Emergency Medical Services Association (MEMSA) |
Don McGiboney | Hospital Disaster Preparedness - DPHHS |
Vacant | State Medical Director |
Jack Trethewey | Fire Based EMS |
Jason Mahoney | Montana Pediatric Liason Contractor |
Maureen Ward | Injury Prevention Program Manager - EMS & Trauma Systems - DPHHS |
Jaunita Bueter, RN | Montana School Nurse's Association |
Kandice Franklin | Children's Mental Health |
Kari Tutwiler | State FICMR Coordinator - DPHHS |
Keven Langkiet | ED Manager/Representative - Benefis |
Koren Bloom | Safe Kids Coalition & Paramedic - Billings |
Robin Suzor | EMS for Children Program Manager - EMS & Trauma - DPHHS |
Janet Trethewey | Cardiac Ready Communities - EMS & Trauma - DPHHS |
Hannah Yang | Epidemiologist - EMS & Trauma - DPHHS |
Dr. Emily Hall | Kalispell/Montana AAP Representative |
Lanette Perkins | Cultural Liason |
Ruth Bilyeu | PECC, CIH Red Lodge Fire and Rescue |
2022 Upcoming EMSC/Child Ready Advisory Committee Meetings:
March 4, 2022 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Virtual |
For more information please contact: Robin Suzor EMSC/Child Ready Manager rsuzor@mt.gov (406) 444-0901 |
June 3, 2022 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Cogswell Building Rooms C207 & C209 1400 E. Broadway Street Helena, MT |
For more information please contact: Robin Suzor EMSC/Child Ready Manager rsuzor@mt.gov (406) 444-0901 |
September 2, 2022 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Cogswell Building Rooms C207 & C209 1400 E. Broadway Street Helena, MT |
For more information please contact: Robin Suzor EMSC/Child Ready Manager rsuzor@mt.gov (406) 444-0901 |
December 2, 2022 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Virtual |
For more information please contact: Robin Suzor EMSC/Child Ready Manager rsuzor@mt.gov (406) 444-0901 |
Meeting Minutes
Montana's Pediatric Facility Recognition Criteria Has Two Levels of Recognition
Montanans voluntary certification program recognizes hospitals that meet specific criteria for personnel training, equipment and facilities that support optimal care for ill or injured infants, children and adolescents.
Pediatric Prepared Facility
Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care is a voluntary program recognizing hospitals that have demonstrated their ability to provide advanced pediatric care for the majority of pediatric medical emergencies including illness and injury. Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care is a partnership between hospitals, physicians, nurses, emergency personnel and the Emergency Medical Services for Children program at EMS & Trauma Systems and Child Ready MT within Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Hospitals Recognized as a Pediatric Prepared Facility:
Facility | City |
St. Vincent Health Care | Billings |
Northern Montana Hospital | Havre |
North Valley Hospital | Whitefish |
Beartooth Billings Clinic | Red Lodge |
Kalispell Regional Healthcare | Kalispell |
Billings Clinic | Billings |
St. Patrick/Providence Hospital | Missoula |
Benefis Health System | Great Falls |
Community Medical Center | Missoula |
Bozeman Health | Bozeman |
St. James Healthcare | Butte |
(October 2019)
Pediatric Capable Facility
Pediatric Capable Emergency Care is a voluntary program recognizing hospitals that have the ability to provide limited pediatric care and have a system in place to transfer to a pediatric prepared facility.
Hospital Recognized as a Pediatric Capable Facility:
Facility | City |
Stillwater Billings Clinic | Columbus |
Phillips County Hospital | Malta |
Central Montana Medical Center | Lewistown |
Community Hospital of Anaconda | Anaconda |
Big Horn County Memorial Hospital | Hardin |
Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center | Scobey |
Pondera Medical Center | Conrad |
(October 2019)
What we hope to accomplish:
- A Regional Council will be comprised of providers, nurses, mid-level providers, EMS and clinical support staff. We recognize that each region has both similarities and differences.
- A statewide goal of standards of care for pediatrics to help ensure the right care, in the right place, at the right time and with the right resources no matter where the child lives.
- The MT EMSC and Child Ready MT will be scheduling Pediatric Facility Recognition Site visits with Montana hospitals. During these visits assessments will be conducted using the Montana Pediatric Facility Recognition Criteria. The new Montana Pediatric Facility Recognition Criteria follows the Guidelines for Care of Children in the Emergency Department endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). The Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has given their endorsement as well.
The Pediatric Facility Recognition application packet will include the following:
- Application Instructions
- Demographic Form
- ED Interactive Prep Checklist
- ED Prep Checklist
- Pediatric Facility Recognition Criteria
For further information or questions please contact Robin Suzor, EMSC Program Manager at (406) 444-0901 or at rsuzor@mt.gov.