Every year in mid-May, Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day is observed on the Wednesday of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. This year, the holiday will be observed on May 24. National EMS Week in the United States helps us recognise and value the contributions of all emergency medical service providers and personnel. We provide information on how to get involved, raise awareness, and honour these unsung champions.
HISTORY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN DAY (EMSC)
President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first National Emergency Medical Services Week from November 3 to 10, 1974, with the first EMSC Day falling on Wednesday of that week. Only in 2007 did the month become known as May. The objective was to emphasise the need for high-quality and specialised emergency medical care for children, with a particular emphasis on the difficulties medical personnel may confront. The purpose of EMSC Day is also to raise awareness of the need for more such services and trained personnel. These services extend to children in “acute care settings” or requiring hospitalisation, as well as those with psychological/mental health requirements.
It began when the Korean and Vietnam wars prompted people to consider how administering aid on-site increased the odds of survival for wounded soldiers. Thus, in the 1960s, the medical community came to recognise the need for a proper emergency medical services (EMS) system. After the Emergency Medical Services Systems Act of 1973 was passed by Congress, it was discovered that the outcomes for many adult patients improved, but not those of minors. It was requested that the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) devise a programme that would aid children and meet their specific needs. Once federal funds were distributed in the form of grants to all states, a system of emergency medical services (EMS) for children was developed to ensure that children and adolescents receive the proper care in the event of a medical emergency.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and organisations such as the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) collaborate annually to proclaim the dates and theme for EMS Week. This year’s theme is “Caring for Our Communities” and an annual ceremony is held at the Children’s National Medical Centre in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the day.
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Five facts about the current state of EMSC that will make you sit up and take notice
- Regarding the production of medical apparatus, children are still not taken into consideration.
- Due to overwork, many emergency centres may occasionally prescribe the incorrect dosage to minors.
- Numerous infants from disadvantaged communities lack access to emergency services.
- A new initiative is being devised to evaluate the preparedness of emergency departments worldwide.
- Since parents are frequently the first on-site, families require training in some fundamental practises and precautions.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN DAY (EMSC) DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | May 19 | Wednesday |
| 2022 | May 18 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | May 24 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 22 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 21 | Wednesday |
