Cole County Emergency Medical Service has been recognized by the Missouri Emergency Medical Services for Children program as being "Pediatric Ready."
The county EMS earned this recognition for taking steps to ensure the service is properly equipped to treat and transport pediatric patients.
To gain this recognition, the agency was required to confirm with Missouri EMS for Children that they carry all essential pediatric-specific equipment and have an appointed pediatric emergency care coordinator who acts as a pediatric champion within the agency and ensures all pediatric-specific transport needs remain a top priority within the service.
Missouri EMS for Children is a federally funded grant program whose mission is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity resulting from severe illness or trauma.
In February, the Cole County began using a new tool to help with emergency medical calls involving young patients. The Handtevy Pediatric Treatment System was placed on all advanced life support ambulances and ALS response vehicles.
The Cole County Commission approved purchasing 13 of these devices in 2018 for $17,035. This money also paid to train EMS personnel on these systems.
Cole County Emergency Medical Services Chief Matthew Lindewirth said the EMS staff underwent specific training requirements to use the Handtevy system to be certified.
The Handtevy system is an age-based pediatric resuscitation system that helps EMS personnel determine how much medication a child needs in an emergency based on age and weight. The system is contained in one bag with all the equipment needed for treatment.
"One of the most stressful situations for EMS personnel are serious or life-threatening pediatric emergencies," Lindewirth said. "This system reduces that stress and helps greatly reduce the likelihood of a medication error and increase successful patient outcomes."