June 3, 2024, Des Moines, IA: Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon is the ninth hospital in Iowa to be recognized for readiness to provide emergency care for children through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) EMS for Children program’s new Iowa Pediatric Emergency Assessment and Care (IPEAC) Recognition Program, the hospital announced today.
IPEAC was designed and launched in 2023 by the Iowa Emergency Medical Services for Children program. It recognizes the work of hospitals of all sizes to ensure each is prepared to provide initial stabilization, treatment and any needed transfers to definitive care for ill and injured children in Iowa.
“IPEAC focuses on support, encouragement and resource sharing to help raise the bar for pediatric care in all Iowa hospitals,” said Margot McComas, chief of Iowa HHS’s Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services. “We are so proud of Audubon County Memorial Hospital’s work in pediatric care. This recognition really demonstrates that hospitals of all sizes can achieve the program goals and provide quality emergency care for children.”
Audubon County Memorial Hospital is a 17-bed hospital located in Audubon, Iowa. Participation in the IPEAC program has been offered to all 117 Iowa hospitals after a pilot program in late 2022. To be recognized, hospitals must complete an application that includes requirements for equipment, training and support of pediatric patients and their families. Evaluation of applicants includes a site visit to the hospital.
“We are proud to be the ninth hospital in the state to receive this recognition,” said Suzanne Cooner, CEO of Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics. “It really underscores our work to care for patients of all ages. We are grateful for the support provided by this new program, which will help to ensure that Iowa’s health care facilities are ready and able to provide the best emergency help for children.”
Iowa Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is a program of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services. IPEAC and EMSC are funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Mark Door, CCP and Vicki Petersen, NRP CCP, EMS for Children Program Director Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services, from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services recognize ACMH by presenting staff members Laura Harper, RN, House Supervisor and Cassandra Neumann, RN, Director of Nursing Services with a commemorative plaque.