Policy statement--emergency information forms and emergency preparedness for children with special health care needs

Pediatrics. 2010 Apr;125(4):829-37. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-0186. Epub 2010 Mar 29.

Abstract

Children with chronic medical conditions rely on complex management plans for problems that cause them to be at increased risk for suboptimal outcomes in emergency situations. The emergency information form (EIF) is a medical summary that describes medical condition(s), medications, and special health care needs to inform health care providers of a child's special health conditions and needs so that optimal emergency medical care can be provided. This statement describes updates to EIFs, including computerization of the EIF, expanding the potential benefits of the EIF, quality-improvement programs using the EIF, the EIF as a central repository, and facilitating emergency preparedness in disaster management and drills by using the EIF.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Civil Defense / methods
  • Civil Defense / standards*
  • Disabled Children*
  • Emergency Medical Services / methods
  • Emergency Medical Services / standards
  • Emergency Medicine / methods
  • Emergency Medicine / standards
  • Health Policy*
  • Humans
  • Medical Records / standards*
  • Pediatrics / methods
  • Pediatrics / standards*
  • Records / standards
  • Societies, Medical / standards*
  • United States