ABOUT US

Background of Emergency Medical Services for Children
Emergency Medical Services systems began development in the late 1960's. These systems were largely derived from military experiences, which demonstrated that survival could be greatly enhanced through appropriate triage, timely transport and prehospital care. They tended, however, to focus primarily on adult care while specialized pediatric needs received limited attention at best. As a result, while outcomes for adults in emergency situations improved dramatically, children's outcomes did not keep pace.

Children are not "small adults". The ill and injured child has very special needs and requires a different approach to care than an adult. In the mid-1970's there grew recognition that the emergency care needs of the pediatric population were not being adequately addressed. This led to the establishment of the National Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program in 1985. This program, sponsored through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, emphasizes the need for states to ensure the availability of appropriate resources and adequately trained personnel in order to effectively meet the emergency care needs of the critically ill and injured child. Federal funds are available to states to assist in improving the pediatric component of their EMS system.

History of the Illinois EMSC Program
In 1994, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center joined forces to secure federal funding and initiate a collaborative effort aimed at addressing pediatric emergency care needs throughout the state.  The Illinois EMSC program was formally established in 1994. An Illinois EMSC Advisory Board was then appointed at that time by the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. This board, composed of representatives from professional health care, child advocate and community organizations provides guidance and oversight to the Illinois EMSC program. Since 1994, the EMSC Advisory Board, several task force groups, and ad hoc committees along with the EMSC Work Team have worked to enhance and integrate pediatric education, standards, injury prevention and data initiatives into the Illinois EMS system. The goal of Illinois EMSC is to ensure that appropriate emergency medical care is available for ill and injured children at every point along the continuum of care - including primary prevention, acute care and rehabilitative care.  The Illinois EMSC Fact Sheet is a downloadable summary of EMSC.

In 2003, Illinois EMSC received the Robert Stripp Award!

In 2007, Illinois EMSC received the 2007 IMERT Visionary Award!

10 Year Anniversary
In 2004, Illinois EMSC celebrated our 10th year anniversary.  Click here to download anniversary material!

EMSC Work Team
The Illinois EMSC Program is located at Loyola University Medical Center. The program investigative team and program staff are available to provide pediatric emergency care and prevention expertise as well as identify other available pediatric related resources.
 

Illinois EMSC Contact
For information regarding the Illinois EMSC program, contact Evelyn Lyons, RN, MPH at (708) 327-2556.