Multiagency, multidisciplinary case review of pediatric deaths, known as Child Fatality Review (CFR), is enriched by the presence of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers on the team. EMS personnel have dual roles -- in death scene observation to inform the cause of death, and in community efforts to prevent future deaths. EMS systems issues arise in many cases coming to CFR and include interjurisdictional displacement, pediatric medical issues and treatment, pediatric continuing education and experience with critical incident stress debriefing to address grief of medical care providers. Updates from a session at the National Congress on Childhood Emergencies (EMSC, March 2000) will be presented, including experiences of states where EMS is an active partner in CFR, and strategies to increase EMS presence at CFR in other states.
Keywords: EMS/Trauma, Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.