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Council presses for better pediatric restraint data; notes NEMSIS changes and testing costs
Summary
Members discussed gaps in how infant and pediatric restraint systems are recorded in ePCRs, pending NEMSIS data-element updates (3.5) and the resource implications of standardizing device reporting and crash testing, including multi-million-dollar validation efforts.
Kevin Haywood, who participated in the data discussion, said states are working to finalize wording for new NEMSIS data elements that would let providers record how infants and children are secured during transport.
"So it should be coming out in NEMSIS 3.5 with the new datasets. We're working on the wording right now," Haywood said, noting that agreement among 50 states and territories is required. Members discussed the challenge of collecting more detailed device information while keeping the reporting burden manageable for providers.
Other speakers stressed that although local stories suggest neonatal AEGIS wraps are being used and have mitigated incidents in the field, current ePCR fields do not reliably capture that use. One member said the program had secured funds to standardize the process and to pay vendors to run crash-test validation: "We secured the $2,000,000 to become to standardize the process, and it's another $2,000,000 to go through the actual testing with the vendors," a council speaker reported.
The council discussed integrating new fields into apps such as Hand Heavy so the information could populate ePCR records automatically. No formal policy decision was made; members recommended continued work with the data managers council and vendors to finalize precise data elements.
