Pediatrics
Infants, children, and adolescents have very specific
health needs, and in the ED these needs can be
exacerbated, especially in medical centers that do
not specialize in pediatric emergency medicine.
Because pediatric patients can deteriorate quickly, ED
health care providers need to be keenly aware of red
flags in pediatric assessment to ensure safety and
quality. Recognizing this need, the American Academy
of Pediatrics, Committee on Pediatric Emergency
Medicine, American College of Emergency
Physicians, Pediatric Committee, and the Emergency
Nurses Association Pediatric Committee published
a joint policy statement setting forth guidelines and
the resources necessary for EDs to serve pediatric
patients.4