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February 2026; Volume 15, Issue 2
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Utah Emergency Medical Services for Children
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Pedi Points
Tia Dickson RN, BSN
PCH Trauma RN, Utah EMSC Nurse Clinical Consultant
In Utah EMS and emergency departments, it’s easy to get worn down by long shifts and tough calls. Pediatric patients are often what pull us back to our why. Kids remind us that what we do matters in a different way.
For Utah providers, caring for children means being a calm presence for families on what may be the worst day of their lives. Remembering the why, why we learned pediatric vitals, practiced tiny airway skills, and built systems of care across prehospital and hospital teams, helps ground us in compassion and the shared responsibility we carry for Utah’s kids.
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The Why Behind the Call; A Pediatric Trauma Journey
Seantae Jackson
Co-founder and Executive Director
Sandal Blue Foundation – Supporting Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors
Excerpts from the January 12th PETOS
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Seantae Jackson is a powerful motivational speaker whose message is rooted in lived experience. In 2021, she, her husband, best friend, and teenage twin sons survived a catastrophic motor vehicle crash. While the family lived, her son Owen sustained a broken back, a severed optic nerve, and a severe traumatic brain injury. After spending six weeks at his bedside at Primary Children’s Hospital, Seantae began sharing her family’s story nationwide.
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Through the lens of a parent navigating pediatric trauma, she offers EMS professionals, emergency department staff, and healthcare teams a rare and deeply meaningful patient-family perspective. Her presentations challenge providers to reconnect with their purpose, strengthen empathy, and remember the profound impact of their actions—often in moments they may never fully see. This is more than a lecture; it is a heartfelt reminder of the difference you make every time you answer the call. Listen to her inspiring story on the PETOS archive today (and earn CME).
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Pediatric Patients and the EMS “Why”
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Pediatrics is considered one of the most challenging areas in prehospital care.
Available data suggests that children account for approximately 4–10% of all EMS calls and children use EMS as a mode of transport to the emergency department (ED) only 5–7% of the time Utah has more children so we sit on the higher side of those numbers, but those higher numbers are not enough to make a provider comfortable with kids.
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In Utah, many EMS agencies serve large rural and frontier areas where transport times can be long and access to pediatric specialty care may be limited. This makes early recognition, accurate assessment, and appropriate destination decisions especially important. Using available pediatric reference tools, following established protocols, and communicating clearly with receiving facilities can help reduce delays and improve continuity of care.
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Pediatric calls also affect providers differently on an emotional level. Caring for an injured or critically ill child often involves managing not only the patient, but also caregivers who are scared and overwhelmed. A calm approach, clear explanations, and simple reassurance can make a meaningful difference for families while supporting better patient care.
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Remembering the “why” behind pediatric training and system planning helps keep providers grounded in these moments. Ongoing pediatric education, skill practice, and strong coordination between prehospital and emergency department teams are key parts of delivering high quality pediatric care. These efforts support EMS providers across Utah in showing up prepared, compassionate, and consistent for children and families when it matters most.
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For Pediatric Education
Here are some of the best pediatric education resources available to Utah EMS providers, especially for continuing education, skills development, and connected systems-of-care learning:
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Statewide Utah EMS for Children (EMSC) program
Resources, training support, injury prevention tools, and pediatric care coordination for prehospital and hospital providers across Utah. Their work includes performance improvement and culturally competent pediatric education.
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EMS PECC resources and training modules
The EMSC program provides pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC) education and resources for EMS agencies looking to build internal pediatric readiness roles and support.
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Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Outreach Series (PETOS)
A free monthly education series for EMS and ED providers presented by pediatric experts from Primary Children’s Hospital. These sessions are held virtually, are case-focused, encourage discussion, and qualify for EMS CME credit.
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Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC) – NAEMT course
A structured pediatric education course designed to strengthen assessment and management skills for pediatric emergencies, suitable for both BLS and ALS providers. Local contact in Utah for scheduling is available through the state EMS office.
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University of Utah and related continuing education series
Ongoing pediatric topics through the University of Utah Pediatrics ECHO, Injury Prevention Learning Series, and EMS Trauma Grand Rounds that are relevant to prehospital care and are often CME-eligible.
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Intermountain Pediatric Emergency Care Conference (I-PECC)
A regional conference with pediatric emergency content, offering updates, case-based learning, and opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration. (Typically held in November)
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Local pediatric prevention and injury outreach tools
Toolkits and prevention resources (helmet safety, car seats, injury prevention materials) that providers can use in community engagement and education. (See below)
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Practical tools and frameworks
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EMSC Innovation and Improvement Center (EIIC) – a national hub offering structured QI collaboratives, toolkits, benchmarks, and coaching that your agency can use to plan, measure, and sustain improvement in pediatric emergency care. These resources include QI science guidance, project support, and shared learning opportunities.
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EIIC QI collaboratives and toolkits – structured improvement initiatives with templates, coaching, and shared experiences designed to help teams implement Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) and other QI methods even with limited prior experience.
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Pediatric Readiness assessment materials – resources linked from pediatric readiness and EIIC pages that include checklists, baseline assessments, and suggestions that your EMS agency can use to start or expand pediatric QI work. For EDs & For EMS
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Utah EMSC Connects Newsletter – regularly delivers pediatric clinical updates, injury prevention data, and links to resources that can support QI discussions and set improvement priorities within your agency
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Direct patient follow up on patient sent to Primary Children’s Hospital
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For additional guideline direction check out the UPTN website or the new app, “Utah PTN” on android and apple devices.
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CME credit for this issue
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Training officers may review the topic above as a team training AND perform a simulation/skills check as directed. Once complete, send a roster of participants to Utah.PETOS@gmail.com and those listed will be issued 1-hour of CME credit from the Bureau of EMS, DPS.
Individuals can get CME credit on their own by viewing a PETOS presentation in our archives and completing the instructions on the webpage.
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Updated National Standards for EDs Have Potential to Save Over 2,100 Children’s Lives Each Year
Updated ED guidelines on Pediatric Readiness are now available! Get the rundown on what’s new at a Feb. 12 webinar, just ahead of the new nationwide assessment, launching March 3.
The work of the National Pediatric Readiness Project is informed by the most recent joint policy statement on pediatric emergency care, written by the leading experts in emergency medicine, emergency nursing, pediatrics, and surgical trauma. The newest statement, “Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department,” was published in January 2026, alongside a technical report (The recommendations were previously released in 2018 and 2009).
Why this matters: High Pediatric Readiness in EDs is associated with up to 76% lower mortality risk in children. If all EDs met these standards, research suggests over 2,100 children’s lives could be saved each year.
Participating in the 2026 assessment helps your ED align with the latest evidence and save lives, or start improving your Pediatric Readiness today through resources available at pediatricreadiness.org.
A 2nd Recall of Broselow Tapes produced by AirLife Medical (Potential 3rd recall)
A third error was recently found in addition to the previous Broselow tape recall regarding Ketamine dosage. Please see the attached notice here for the latest information.
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Flumazenil as 0.1 mg/kg instead of the correct 0.01 mg/kg dose.
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Vecuronium as 0.1 mg/ml instead of the correct 0.1 mg/kg dose.
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Ketamine (IV/IO for pain/analgesia)
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The tape lists IV/IO ketamine for pain/analgesia is1mg/kg, whereas the appropriate pediatric analgesic (sub-dissociative) dose is 0.1 mg/kg.
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The represents a 10-fold overdose and may result in a dissociative sedation dose being administered when only analgesia was intended.
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Organizations using this tape should immediately:
For more information, reach out to AirLife Customer Service at 1-800-433-2797 or productquality@myairlife.com
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EMSC Pulse
National EMSC has a newsletter filled with fantastic pediatric information, resources, and links. Check it out!
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RSV Vaccines Make a Huge Difference for Kids
Our RSV vaccination push has led to a remarkable drop in infant hospital admissions across the state, with twice as many expecting mothers now choosing to receive the vaccine during pregnancy. As a result, infant hospitalizations have fallen dramatically from 1 in 48 to just 1 in 400.
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Blood Shortage
The American Red Cross is facing a serious drop in type O blood. Please consider donating, no matter your blood type, and continue using smart blood‑management practices.
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Autism Awareness Training (agency and hospital)
If your agency is interested in the John Wilson Autism training or in receiving the free autism kits, contact Jeff Wilson, PM @jeffwilson122615@gmail.com.
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PECC development
For Utah Hospital and EMS Agency PECCs
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Pediatric Readiness Guidelines for a NEW National Assessment Webinar
Feb. 12, 12-1 pm MST
In collaboration with the Federal EMSC Program, experts from the leading organizations involved in emergency care for children will soon release an updated 2026 joint policy statement, “Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department.” These guidelines are the basis for the next National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Nationwide Assessment for emergency departments (EDs), launching in March 2026.
NPRP Co-leads, Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill, Dr. Kate Remick, and Dr. Hilary Hewes will provide information about the life-saving potential and low cost of Pediatric Readiness, what’s new in the guidelines, and provide insights to help you prepare for the 2026 NPRP Assessment. ED clinicians–including nurses, physicians, and administrators–are encouraged to participate.
Register Here
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Understanding the PECC role
For hospital PECCs
For EMS PECCs
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PECC quarterly meeting
You will receive an invitation with the link through email. If you are a PECC and don’t receive this invitation, contact our program manager, Jared Wright jaredwright@utah.gov.
When?
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, 10:00 AM
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Pediatric education from Utah EMSC
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Pediatric Emergency and Trauma Outreach Series (PETOS)
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PETOS (pediatric emergency and trauma outreach series)
We’re thrilled to announce that our PETOS lecture series is now eligible for both RN and EMS CME credit!
CME certificates are now digital and available instantly through CloudCME, where you can also access your transcript anytime.
The lectures are presented by physicians and pediatric experts from Primary Children’s Hospital. The format is informal; inviting questions and discussion.
Upcoming topics
Jan 12th, 2026 – Seantae Jackson – A Patient Perspective
Feb 9th, 2026 – Laurie Merrick RN, BSN – Hypothermia
Mar 9th, 2026 – Kris Campbell MD – Child Maltreatment
02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98193757707?pwd=UzdNeXppQUdtZ01KZUp2UFlzRk9vdz09
Meeting ID: 981 9375 7707
Password: EmscPCH
Archived presentations can be viewed and also qualify for CME credits. You can access them at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/for-professionals/PETOS.
To obtain a completion certificate—follow the instructions on the website
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Emergency Pediatric Course – NAEMT
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Other pediatric education for all
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Current Concepts in Neonatal and Pediatric Transport
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Overview – Feb 18-20, 2026
The transport of a critically ill neonate or child poses unique challenges and risks to both patient and provider. Patients are subject to risk from infectious diseases, injuries, adverse responses, and complications as a result of treatment or simply due to the transport itself. Providers, too, can find themselves challenged and affected by the transport environment emotionally, physically, and/or mentally. This two-day course will provide thoughtful analysis and evidence-based management of many patient- and provider-related facets of neonatal and pediatric transport.
Register Here
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St. George Autism Awareness Training
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University of Utah Pediatrics ECHO 2026
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The Pediatrics ECHO is back! For those new to Pediatrics ECHO, you can earn CME for participating in a case-based learning session with experts in a variety of pediatric topics.
You can view previous session recordings and other programs on the Project ECHO page. CME is available for participation in these classes.
More Information
The University has an EMS education website.
When? Wednesdays 12 – 1 pm (MT)
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University of Utah Injury Prevention Learning Series
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Pediatric Injury Prevention Resources
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EMS Education: Traumatic Brain Injury
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University of Utah’s EMS Trauma Grand Rounds
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Hospital-focused pediatric education
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Primary Children’s Pediatric Grand Rounds
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Offered every Thursday, September-May (currently on hiatus, archives available)
Offering both RN and MD CME
The pediatric grand rounds weekly lecture series covers cutting-edge research and practical clinical applications, for hospital and community-based pediatricians, registered nurses, and other physicians and practitioners who care for children of any age.
Every Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. from September through May in the 3rd Floor Auditorium at Primary Children’s Hospital and at Lehi a broadcast will be held in the education center (1st floor in rooms 1 & 2).The lectures are also broadcast live to locations throughout Utah and nationwide. Click on this link to view the broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNQP-M_3-PdPDvnICr2Fjpg
Connect live
Click here for the PGR PCH YouTube channel to find the live broadcast. Archives (without continuing education credit) will be posted here within 1 week of the broadcast.
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Date & Location
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM MT, Primary Children’s Hospital Eccles Outpatient Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Target Audience
Specialties – Pediatrics
Professions – Advanced Practice Provider, Other Medical Personnel, Physician
Overview
This conference is designed for APPs/APCs associated with Primary Children’s Hospital from both Intermountain Children’s Health and University of Utah Health to facilitate collaboration, dialogue, networking, career advancement, and best practices. Participants will learn from experts, share ongoing research, explore ongoing research outside their daily practice, and participate in discussion with leadership.
Register Here
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Emergency Medical Services for Children Utah, Bureau of EMS, Department of Public Safety
The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program aims to ensure emergency medical care for the ill and injured child or adolescent is well integrated into an emergency medical service system.
Email: tdickson@utah.gov
Website: https://ems.utah.gov/
Phone: (801) 707-3763
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