Ensuring ‘Pediatric Readiness’ in Emergency Departments Costs Little and Saves Lives

From Dell Medical School:

The price tag for making hospital emergency departments ready to provide basic care to children is minimal  — ranging from just $4 to $48 per patient — while significantly improving survival rates, according to a new study published this month in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open. The study is among the first to analyze the financial impact of adhering to national guidelines on pediatric care in emergency departments.

Researchers highlight that the low cost of implementation is justified by the substantial benefits. Hospitals with high pediatric readiness can reduce mortality by up to 76%. Yet a recent evaluation shows that many emergency departments are still not fully equipped to handle critical pediatric cases.