A Regional Intervention to Appoint Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators in New England Emergency Departments

Objective The aim of this study was to describe our expansion of a Massachusetts grassroots initiative-to increase the appointment of pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) in emergency departments (EDs)-to all 6 New England states. Methods We conducted annual surveys of all EDs in New England from 2015 to 2020 regarding 2014 to 2019, respectively. Data collection included ED characteristics. The intervention from 2018 to 2019 relied on principles of self-organization and collaboration with local stakeholders including state Emergency Medical Services for Children agencies, American College of Emergency Physician state chapters, and Emergency Nursing Association state chapters to help encourage appointment of at least 1 PECC to every ED. Most ED leadership were contacted in person at regional meetings, by e-mail and/or telephone. We reached out to each individual ED to both educate and encourage action. Results Survey response rates were greater than 85% in all years. From 2014 to 2016, less than 30% of New England EDs reported a PECC. In 2017, 51% of EDs in New England reported a PECC, whereas in 2019, 91% of New England EDs reported a PECC. All other ED characteristics remained relatively consistent from 2014 to 2019. Conclusions We successfully expanded a Massachusetts grassroots initiative to appoint PECCs to all of New England. Through individual outreach, and using principles of self-organization and creating collaborations with local stakeholders, we were able to increase the prevalence of PECCs in New England EDs from less than 30% to greater than 90%. This framework also led to the creation of a New England-wide PECC network and has fostered ongoing collaboration and communication throughout the region.