Medical services are provided in this teaching environment under the supervision of board- certified emergency physicians and Registered Nurses consistent with the Standards of Emergency Nursing Practice. The team works collaboratively with other departments that impact EMTC operations. ED patients are registered by Registration/Patient Access/Admission staff who report to the Director of Business Operations.
The EMTC provides medical screening and emergency care to over 120,000 patients and families annually with a wide range of problems. Presenting conditions are triaged and assigned to the appropriate treatment area utilizing the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) tool, which takes into account patient acuity and resources needed for management. Presenting conditions range from mild to life-threatening. Mild to moderate conditions include common pediatric conditions such as: common colds, rashes, strep throat, upper respiratory conditions, lacerations, otitis media, strains and sprains, etc. More complex to life threatening conditions include child abuse/neglect, sexual assault, behavioral emergencies, meningitis, sepsis, burns, acute medical, surgical and trauma conditions, anaphylaxis, respiratory and cardiac arrest. The EMTC can provide emergency stabilization and treatment of adults and arrange for transfer to the appropriate treatment site after medical screening and initial interventions. Medical screening exams and stabilization of any actual or potential life threatening conditions is provided regardless of age, race, sex, gender, color, ethnicity, national origin or ability to pay for services. The EMTC is able to increase resources as needed to meet large influxes of patients (medical alert, trauma state or phased response).
All nursing practice is based on the legal scope of practice, national and specialty nursing standards, Children's National Policies and Procedures, and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Professional Model of Care requires registered professional nurses to be responsible and accountable for their own practice. Children's National supports the development of RN relationships within the community; specifically those relationships associated with the health and well being of the community at large.
Unit Description
Emergency Medicine and Trauma Services (EMTC) is a tertiary care, Level 1 trauma center located on the first floor of the Sheikh Zayed Campus on Michigan Ave NW.
The EMTC-Sheikh Zayed Campus is comprised of six distinct patient care areas:
1. 36 ED patient rooms
2. Two Code Rooms (4 beds)
3. 4 bed area designed for psychiatric patients
4. 18 decontamination showers with ability to utilize psychiatric area for Decontamination Zone.
5. 6-bed Rapid Treatment Unit (RTU)
The Satellite Pediatric Emergency Department is located at 1310 Southern Ave SE and operates 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The Children’s Satellite ED has 16 beds, including a Crisis Room and a room designed for psychiatric care.
Patient and Family services are provided under a collaborative, shared leadership model. Organizationally the EMTC reports to the Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Nursing and operates within a multidisciplinary leadership team.
1. The Chiefs of the Division of Emergency Medicine provide overall medical leadership at both locations. A Medical Director for each campus oversees day to day operations and physician activities. Associate and Assistant Directors report to the Division Chiefs. The Director of Trauma & Burn Services collaborates with the Division Chiefs to assure appropriate care of trauma patients.
2. The Director for Nursing leads the nursing component of the leadership team and works collaboratively with the Division Chiefs and Medical Directors for oversight of EMTC operations and the shared leadership process at both sites. The UMC campus has a Nurse Manager; the SZ campus has a Nurse Manager who are responsible for day to day operations and work collaboratively with the Medical Directors to lead operations and performance improvement initiatives. Other members of the leadership team include Clinical Instructors, Clinical Educators, Shift Coordinators, Lead ED Technician, Clinical Program Coordinator for EMS and Base Station Coordinator, Psychiatry Clinical Program Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Finance and Quality Outcomes Coordinator.
