Using system change as a method of performance/quality improvement for emergency and trauma care of severely injured children: pediatric system performance improvement.

Quality or performance improvement is paramount to trauma programs. In an effort to improve the emergency care continuum for children and in response to the Government Performance Review Act, the Federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program developed EMSC performance measures. The measures provide benchmarking capabilities and a plan for state EMSC programs to reduce pediatric emergency or trauma gaps nationwide. Data collected by states in 2007 identify both gaps and opportunities for trauma nurses and managers to partner with state leaders to improve the emergency and trauma care systems for children.