Children Are Unique

Being pediatric-ready involves more than having the right-sized equipment and supplies. Because children are still growing and developing, they respond to illness and injury differently than adults, requiring different knowledge, skills and treatment. Emotional needs are also a significant consideration. Yet, 80% of pediatric patients in the U.S. are cared for by a general ED instead of a children’s hospital. That’s how the National Pediatric Readiness Project was born. It’s a federal government initiative to improve child outcomes in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Nurses Association.

Collaboration & Unstoppable Dedication

The application for the “Pediatric Ready” designation covered six areas – staffing, education, equipment, disaster preparedness, quality and process improvement – and was “daunting,” according to the Hendricks team that worked on it. It is the result of three years’ worth of work and two tries from a core team of unstoppable associates who are the very definition of Hendricks’ value of collaboration: Drs. Mark Collins, Christina Jackson, Jason Kindrat and former nurse Lauren Simpson, who Riley Hospital for Children recruited to help guide other EDs in Indiana.

24/7 Care & Commitment to Kids

For decades, Hendricks has been committed to the youngest in the community. From our Childbirth Center to our team of pediatricians to our pediatric hospitalists, who are available to provide 24/7 care in a dedicated pediatric unit at Danville Hospital, we are proud to help kids have a strong start to life.