Fairfield Memorial Hospital has successfully completed the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Nationwide Assessment, reinforcing the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality emergency care for children in the community.
The assessment is part of the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative (NPRQI) collaborative cohort for 2026. Participation in this national initiative allows hospitals across the country to evaluate their emergency department’s readiness to care for pediatric patients and identify opportunities for improvement.
Fairfield Memorial Hospital recently joined the NPRQI collaborative and submitted its assessment, receiving confirmation of completion upon submission. The process provides participating hospitals with a detailed gap report highlighting strengths and areas for potential growth in pediatric emergency care.
While Fairfield Memorial Hospital is already designated within Illinois as a standby Emergency Department for pediatric care, Dawn Murbarger, BSN, RN, EMT-P, LI, CEN, Emergency Department Manager, and Merri Corbett-Mercer, EMT-P, Assistant Emergency Department Manager, are continuing efforts to strengthen pediatric readiness at the national level.
Over the past several weeks, Dawn and Merri have participated in NPRQI educational webinars to review national quality initiatives and determine which improvement focus may provide the greatest benefit for patients and the organization. Both Dawn and Merri also serve on State and Regional Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) committees, helping support pediatric emergency preparedness and care initiatives across the region.
Potential focus areas available through the initiative include:
- Pain Assessment
- Abnormal Vital Signs
- Suicide Screening and Management
- Blunt Head Trauma
Dawn and Merri will review the assessment results and current practices to determine which initiative best aligns with opportunities for improvement and the resources available within the Emergency Department.
Participation in the NPRP assessment demonstrates Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s continued dedication to improving pediatric emergency care and ensuring children in the region receive safe, effective, and high-quality treatment when they need it most