The Pediatric Innovator designation by the Maine Emergency Medical Services for Children Program demonstrates the two hospital emergency departments meet the highest readiness standards.
BIDDEFORD, Maine â€� Maine Emergency Medical System for Children (Maine EMS-C) is recognizing AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Maine Medical Center Biddeford (MHMMC Biddeford) and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Maine Medical Center Sanford (MHMMC Sanford) for meeting the “Maine Always Ready for Childrenâ€� standards at the highest possible level â€� Pediatric Innovator.
Maine Always Ready for Children examines hospital emergency departments in how they assess, treat and stabilize pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies. On Thursday, Jan. 23, Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler presented MHMMC Biddeford and Sanford leaders with a plaque recognizing the emergency departments� achievement.
“This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and innovation of our entire team,� said Dr. Brandon Giberson, associate chief of emergency medicine and medical director of the MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford emergency departments. “We are constantly striving to improve the care we provide to our youngest patients, and this award validates the impact of our efforts. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to children in need.�
The Always Ready for Children program is a joint effort by EMS for Children programs in all six New England States, New York and New Jersey to recognize hospitals that show a voluntary commitment to improving their readiness for pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies.
Among the criteria Maine EMS-C examines as it assesses emergency departments are:
- Equipment, supplies and medications for pediatric patients
- Pediatric quality and performance improvement efforts
- Safety measures, including documenting the weight of pediatric patients in kilograms for safer medication dosing
- Policies, procedures and processes to collaborate with all Maine hospitals on pediatric patient care
Hospital emergency departments can be recognized at the Pediatric Ready, Pediatric Engaged or Pediatric Innovator level, depending on their commitment to these metrics, which are based on national standards developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, The American College of Surgeons and the EMS for Children Improvement and Innovation Center.
“The work and continuing efforts of AOAÌåÓýƽ̨, and the emergency departments at MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford show a true commitment in helping to ensure a high level of preparedness for emergency pediatric care,â€� said Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler. “By adopting these evidence-based, voluntary standards, the entire staff and hospital system shows a dedication to pediatric care both today and for the future. Congratulations to all of the healthcare providers and staff who made this recognition possible.â€�
Pediatric Innovators not only exceed the Always Ready for Children standards but help other hospitals with their readiness. MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford are the third emergency departments in Maine to meet the standards at the Pediatric Innovator level. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Maine Medical Center Portland and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Pen Bay Hospital previously received the designation. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Franklin Hospital also has received recognition at the Pediatric Ready level.
You can learn more about Maine Always Ready for Children at .
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About AOAÌåÓýƽ̨
AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,â€� and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ hospitals include AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Franklin Hospital in Farmington, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Stephens Hospital in Norway and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Waldo Hospital in Belfast. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ also includes the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Behavioral Health in Westbrook, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Institute for Research in Scarborough, the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Medical Group and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ NorDx in Scarborough. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.