Performance Measures

Performance Measures are the primary goals of the SP Program and serve as standards of achievement for the state/territory grantees. In accordance with the Government Performance Results Act, grantees are required to regularly report on their progress to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The original set of performance measures was developed in 2005 and included: 1) availability of online and offline pediatric medical direction in EMS systems, 2) availability of pediatric equipment on ambulances, 3) pediatric training for prehospital care providers, 4) development of statewide systems for categorizing pediatric trauma and medical capabilities of hospitals, and 5) presence of interfacility transfer guidelines and agreements. After achieving significant progress in these areas, the EMSC created a new set of performance measures.

This set of performance measures was jointly developed by HRSA, the National EMSC Data Analysis Resource Center (NEDARC) and subject matter experts. Following two rounds of public comment, the following performance measures became active in 2017.

Current Performance Measures

EMSC 01: Submission of NEMSIS Compliant Version 3.x- Data

The degree to which EMS agencies submit NEMSIS compliant version 3.x data to the State EMS Office.

By 2018, baseline data will be available to assess the number of EMS agencies in the state or territory that submit National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) version 3.x-compliant patient-care data to the State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Office for all 911-initiated EMS activations.
By 2021, 80 percent of EMS agencies in the state or territory submit NEMSIS version 3.x-compliant patient-care data to the State EMS Office for all 911-initiated EMS activations.

EMSC 02: Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC)

The percentage of EMS agencies in the state or territory that have a designated individual who coordinates pediatric emergency care.

By 2020, 30 percent of EMS agencies in the state or territory have a designated individual who coordinates pediatric emergency care.
By 2023, 60 percent of EMS agencies in the state or territory have a designated individual who coordinates pediatric emergency care.
By 2026, 90 percent of EMS agencies in the state or territory have a designated individual who coordinates pediatric emergency care.

EMSC 03: Use of Pediatric-Specific Equipment

The percentage of EMS agencies in the state or territory that have a process that requires EMS providers to physically demonstrate the correct use of pediatric-specific equipment.

By 2020, 30 percent of EMS agencies will have a process that requires EMS providers to physically demonstrate the correct use of pediatric specific equipment, which is equal to a score of 6 or more on a 0–12 scale.
By 2023, 60 percent of EMS agencies will have a process that requires EMS providers to physically demonstrate the correct use of pediatric specific equipment, which is equal to a score of 6 or more on a 0–12 scale.
By 2026, 90 percent of EMS agencies will have a process that requires EMS providers to physically demonstrate the correct use of pediatric specific equipment, which is equal to a score of 6 or more on a 0–12 scale.

EMSC 04: Hospital Recognition for Pediatric Emergencies

The percent of hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) recognized through a statewide, territorial or regional standardized program that are able to stabilize and/or manage pediatric medical emergencies.

By 2022, 25 percent of hospitals are recognized as part of a statewide, territorial, or regional standardized program that are able to stabilize and/or manage pediatric medical emergencies.

EMSC 05: Hospital Recognition for Pediatric Trauma

The percent of hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) recognized through a statewide, territorial or regional standardized system that are able to stabilize and/or manage pediatric trauma.

By 2022, 50 percent of hospitals are recognized as part of a statewide, territorial, or regional standardized system that recognizes hospitals that are able to stabilize and/or manage pediatric trauma.

EMSC 06: Inter-Facility Transfer Guidelines

The percent of hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) in the state or territory that have written inter-facility transfer guidelines that cover pediatric patients and that include the following components of transfer:

Defined process for initiation of transfer, including the roles and responsibilities of the referring facility and referral center (including responsibilities for requesting transfer and communication).
Process for selecting the appropriate care facility.
Process for selecting the appropriately staffed transport service to match the patient’s acuity level (level of care required by patient, equipment needed in transport, etc.)
Process for patient transfer (including obtaining informed consent).
Plan for transfer of patient medical record.
Plan for transfer of copy of signed transport consent.
Plan for transfer of personal belongings of the patient.
Plan for provision of directions and referral institution information to family.
By 2021, 90 percent of hospitals in the state or territory have written inter-facility transfer guidelines that cover pediatric patients and that include specific components of transfer.

EMSC 07: Inter-Facility Transfer Agreements

The percent of hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) in the state or territory that have written inter-facility transfer agreements that cover pediatric patients.

By 2021, 90 percent of hospitals in the state or territory have written inter-facility transfer agreements that cover pediatric patients.

EMSC 08: Permanence of EMSC

The degree to which the state or territory has established permanence of EMSC in the state or territory EMS system. Goal: To increase the number of states and territories that have established permanence of EMSC in the state or territory EMS system. Each year:

The EMSC Advisory Committee has the required members as per the implementation manual.
The EMSC Advisory Committee meets at least four times a year.
Pediatric representation incorporated on the state or territory EMS Board.
The state or territory requires pediatric representation on the EMS Board.
One full-time EMSC Manager is dedicated solely to the EMSC Program.

EMSC 09: Integration of EMSC Priorities into Statutes or Regulations

The degree to which the state or territory has established permanence of EMSC in the state or territory EMS system by integrating EMSC priorities into statutes or regulations.

By 2027, EMSC priorities will have been integrated into existing EMS, hospital, or healthcare facility statutes or regulations.