In 1994, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) obtained federal grant funding to integrate the special treatment needs of pediatric patients into the state's EMS and hospital systems. This program became the South Carolina EMS for Children (SC EMSC) program.
The program is housed under the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). These national health agencies created specific Performance Measures to ensure optimal pediatric care is addressed and evaluated.
Currently, the program focuses on the required performance measures with an emphasis in education for pre-hospital and hospital providers on the care of the pediatric patient, pediatric medical equipment, and guidelines to promote better health care outcomes for children (National EMSC Performance Measures).
The EMSC program is advised by a committee of pediatric care experts from around the state. Each member provides insight and expertise to the program initiatives and helps to complete goals and performance measures. The advisory committee meets quarterly and is open to any interested stakeholders.
Pediatric Webinar Series Recorded Sessions
Visit scdhec.gov/PediatricWebinars for details.
Pediatric Trauma Protocols
- Pediatric Head Trauma Protocols
- Pediatric Multiple Trauma Protocols
- Pediatric Trauma Triage and Transport Protocols
Pediatric Ready EMS & EMR
Peds Ready EMS Agencies
- Prisma Health Ambulance Service, Greenville, SC
- Piedmont Medical EMS, Rock Hill, SC
- Horry County Fire Rescue, Conway, SC
- Dorchester County EMS, Summerville, SC
- Charleston County EMS, Charleston, SC
- Kershaw County EMS, Camden, SC
- Calhoun County EMS, St. Matthews, SC
- Lee County EMS, Bishopville, SC
- Berkeley County EMS, Moncks Corner, SC
- Fairfield County EMS, Winnsboro, SC
- Orangeburg County EMS, Orangeburg, SC
- Goose Creek Fire Department, Goose Creek, SC
- Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, Hilton Head Island, SC
Pediatric Ready Hospital Recognition
- Application (doc)
- Toolkit
- FAQ (pdf)
- Binder Table of Contents (pdf)
- Inter-facility transfer reference (pdf)
- Site Review Agenda (pdf)
- All Levels Criteria (pdf)
Interested in becoming a Site Review Team Member?
- Site Review Member Qualifications (doc)
- Application for Pediatric Ready Emergency Department Surveyor
Pediatric Ready Hospitals
Basic Level
- Grand Strand Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, SC
- MUSC Lancaster, Lancaster, SC
Advanced Level
- Prisma Oconee, Seneca, SC
Comprehensive Level
- Prisma Greenville, Greenville, SC
- Prisma Midlands Children's Hospital, Columbia, SC
- MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, Charleston, SC
For additional information, please contact Sable Land, EMS for Children Program Coordinator at (803)-545-4486.
EMSC Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
2023 Minutes
January 26, 2023-EMS for Children Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
April 27, 2023- EMS for Children Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2023- EMS for Children Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
October 11, 2023- EMS for Children Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
2022 Minutes
April 28, 2022- EMS Advisory Committee Minutes
July 28, 2022-EMS Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
October 12, 2022- EMS Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
2021 Minutes
2020 Minutes
2019 Minutes
EMSC Resources
- January 26, 2023
- April 27, 2023
- July 27, 2023
- October 26, 2023
- January 26, 2023-EMSC Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
- Pediatric Imaging Statement
- Pediatric Transport Products for Ground Ambulances
Provider Resource Links
- Pediatric Emergency Case Walkthrough videos: Webinars & Vodcasts (reeldx.com)
- SimBox SimBox | acep-simbox (emergencysimbox.com)
- SimBox EMS SimBox EMS | acep-simbox (emergencysimbox.com)
- Pediatric Scenario Guidebook
Family Resource Links
- Helping Children after Disasters: pfa_parent_tips_for_helping_school_age_children_after_disasters.pdf (nctsn.org)
- Emergency Kit Checklist: Emergency Kit Checklist: Children with Special Healthcare Needs | CDC
- SC Safe Kids: Safe Kids South Carolina | Safe Kids Worldwide