MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford Receive ‘Maine Always Ready for Children’ Recognition

The Pediatric Innovator designation by the Maine Emergency Medical Services for Children Program demonstrates the two hospital emergency departments meet the highest readiness standards.

BIDDEFORD, Maine - Maine Emergency Medical System for Children (Maine EMS-C) is recognizing MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford (MHMMC Biddeford) and MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Sanford (MHMMC Sanford) for meeting the "Maine Always Ready for Children" standards at the highest possible level - Pediatric Innovator.

Maine Always Ready for Children examines hospital emergency departments in how they assess, treat and stabilize pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies. On Thursday, Jan. 23, Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler presented MHMMC Biddeford and Sanford leaders with a plaque recognizing the emergency departments' achievement.

"This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and innovation of our entire team," said Dr. Brandon Giberson, associate chief of emergency medicine and medical director of the MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford emergency departments. "We are constantly striving to improve the care we provide to our youngest patients, and this award validates the impact of our efforts. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to children in need."

The Always Ready for Children program is a joint effort by EMS for Children programs in all six New England States, New York and New Jersey to recognize hospitals that show a voluntary commitment to improving their readiness for pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies.

Among the criteria Maine EMS-C examines as it assesses emergency departments are:

• Equipment, supplies and medications for pediatric patients
• Pediatric quality and performance improvement efforts
• Safety measures, including documenting the weight of pediatric patients in kilograms for safer medication dosing
• Policies, procedures and processes to collaborate with all Maine hospitals on pediatric patient care

Hospital emergency departments can be recognized at the Pediatric Ready, Pediatric Engaged or Pediatric Innovator level, depending on their commitment to these metrics, which are based on national standards developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, The American College of Surgeons and the EMS for Children Improvement and Innovation Center.

"The work and continuing efforts of MaineHealth, and the emergency departments at MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford show a true commitment in helping to ensure a high level of preparedness for emergency pediatric care," said Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler. "By adopting these evidence-based, voluntary standards, the entire staff and hospital system shows a dedication to pediatric care both today and for the future. Congratulations to all of the healthcare providers and staff who made this recognition possible."

Pediatric Innovators not only exceed the Always Ready for Children standards but help other hospitals with their readiness. MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford are the third emergency departments in Maine to meet the standards at the Pediatric Innovator level. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland and MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital previously received the designation. MaineHealth Franklin Hospital also has received recognition at the Pediatric Ready level.

You can learn more about Maine Always Ready for Children at https://www.maine.gov/ems/hospitalpecc.

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About MaineHealth

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, "Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America," and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.