In June 2019, Livingston HealthCare received recognition as a Pediatric
Prepared Facility from the Montana Emergency Medical Services for Children
program at the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
Out of 48 Critical Access Hospitals in Montana, Livingston HealthCare
is only the second to receive this recognition, and the twelfth to receive
it out of all Montana hospitals.
“A lot of the focus initially was about the Emergency Department
just being ready for any pediatric emergency that rolled through our doors,”
Livingston HealthCare Director of Nursing Stacy Kohler, RN, said. “This
is really important because pediatric patients are a very vulnerable population.
The project has grown to include all areas of the hospital that care for
pediatric patients. This [Pediatric Prepared Facility recognition] shows
that we’re doing everything we can to give the absolute best care
possible.”
The Pediatric Prepared Facility recognition from DPHHS is the higher of
two recognitions given. Pediatric Capable Facilities are recognized as
facilities that “have the ability to provide limited care and have
a system in place to transfer to a pediatric prepared facility,”
according to the DPHHS website. A facility that is recognized as Pediatric
Prepared—such as Livingston HealthCare—has demonstrated the
ability to provide advanced pediatric care for the majority of pediatric
medical emergencies, including illness and injury.
The recognition is given based on specific criteria, which includes personnel
training, equipment, and facilities that support optimal care for infants,
children and adolescents.
“As far as the community is concerned, it’s knowing where they
can bring their children as patients and feel confident that we [Livingston
HealthCare] have physicians and staff members who are prepared and trained
to give the absolute best care,” said Certified Emergency Nurse
Rick DuCharme, who is Livingston HealthCare’s Pediatric Nurse Coordinator.
“It shows that we’re committed to pediatric emergency medicine.”
The Pediatric Prepared Facility recognition lasts until June 2022.