Pediatric Emergency Department at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital Recognized for Excellence

"These recipients demonstrate excellence in practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation that make their departments exceptional places for patients receiving care as well as for the staff working in them," said ENA President Ryan Oglesby, PhD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC. Fewer than 100 emergency departments were selected this year.

"We are honored to receive the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association because it is a testament to the skill, compassion, and commitment our pediatric emergency department brings to every child and family who walks through our doors. We are proud to create a place where children receive not only expert medical attention, but also comfort and understanding during some of their most vulnerable moments," said Pam Harmon, DNP, MSN, RNC-NIC, director, Women and Children's Division, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital.

Saint Peter's provides pediatric emergency care to 22,000 infants, children and young adults annually. Approximately 1,800 of those children are admitted as inpatients for additional care. Among the special services available in the pediatric emergency department is a dedicated Child Life specialist who attends to the emotional needs of a child and family members during a visit. The Child Life specialist helps the child and family cope with illness, treatments and procedures by using therapeutic play, and offering coping techniques. If a child is admitted from the pediatric emergency department to the hospital, the Child Life specialist works with inpatient staff to smooth the transition.

One reason the pediatric emergency department received ENA recognition is the team's commitment to making visits smoother and less stressful for children and their families. Through inclusive training for the entire pediatric staff, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital has created a more positive and therapeutic experience for all patients, including those with autism and sensory disorders, making its pediatric healthcare services more accessible and less intimidating. The training focuses on understanding children's unique communication styles, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral cues. By learning how to recognize and respond to these specific needs, Saint Peter's staff tailors their approach to reduce potential sources of stress for the child. This may involve using clear, direct communication, providing visual supports, offering sensory accommodations, and employing calming techniques when necessary. Some of the techniques include providing patients with sensory items such as fidget toys for self-regulation, sunglasses for light sensitivities, and sound-cancelling headphones to minimize the impact of auditory stimuli. By ensuring that clinical staff are compassionate and well-versed in working with children with different needs, the pediatric emergency department creates an environment where both the child and parent feel heard, respected, and supported. Additionally, through these efforts, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's also achieved status as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

For more information on this year's Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Associationwebsite.

For additional information about pediatric services at The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital, visit saintpetershcs.com/childrenshospital or call 732.565.KIDS [5437].

About The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital
The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital is a state-designated acute care children's hospital and regional perinatal center sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally renowned Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department, adolescent medicine, cancer care, diabetes, orthopedics, surgery, developmental pediatrics, gastroenterology, allergy and immunology, infectious disease medicine, cardiology, nephrology, neurology, pediatric intensive care, pulmonary/sleep medicine, audiology and physical therapy. Other programs and services include Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, which counsels, tests and treats children with rare diseases; the Craniofacial and Neurosurgical Center, which offers corrective surgery and multidisciplinary support for children born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities; the Dorothy B. Hersh Regional Child Protection Center, a state-designated regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center for child abuse prevention; and the Center for Diabetes Self-Management and Education, which diagnoses and treats children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Saint Peter's has received Perinatal Care Advanced Certification and Level IV Maternal Levels of Care Verification from the Joint Commission and the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for its Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care units.The Dorothy B. Hersh Pediatric Emergency Department is the only pediatric emergency department in New Jersey to earn the Lantern Award (2025-2028) from the Emergency Nurses Association.

About the Emergency Nurses Association
The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 45,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.