WMJ

Maureen Luetje, DO; Carissa Brunner, MPH; Lorin R. Browne, DO; Michael K. Kim, MD

WMJ. 2026;125(3):398-401. Published August 11, 2026.

ABSTRACT

Background: stance, lack of resources and education can affect the care. This project set out to improve pediatric readiness in at least 20 Wisconsin emergency departments (EDs) statewide.

Methods: The program developed a pediatric readiness guide, recruited EDs to participate, and implemented pediatric readiness interventions within the EDs. Each ED completed the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment at the start of the program and a postimplementation assessment at the end, with the goal to improve ED pediatric readiness scores by 10% or more.

Results: Over 36 months, 23 EDs from diverse settings participated in the program. The median [IQR] NPRP score increased from 60.2 (51.5-74.2) to 81.1 (74.7-87.8). Nineteen EDs improved by over 10%.

Discussion: The targeted intervention improved pediatric readiness in 20 EDs from diverse settings and emphasizes the role of leadership and structured guidance to improve care provided to children in Wisconsin.

Author affiliations: Children’s Corporate Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Browne; Luetje); Children’s Health Alliance, West Allis, Wisconsin (Brunner); Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (Kim).
Corresponding author: Michael Kim, MD, FAAP, 800 University Bay Dr, Suite 325, Madison, WI 53704; email mkkim@medicine.wisc.edu; ORCID ID 0009-0008-8860-367X
Financial disclosures: None declared.
Funding/support: This program was funded wholly by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.
Acknowledgements: The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge Erica Kane, Brittany Farrell, Maisie Williams, Leslie Walker, and Anna Verkuilen for their significant contributions to the development of the implementation guide and program.

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