FARMINGTON — On Wednesday, Nov. 13, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital held an award ceremony to celebrate their Emergency Medical Services [EMS] for becoming certified “pediatric ready.” The ceremony took place at the hospital in the Bass Room.

EMS for Children and Maine EMS Program Manager Marc Minkler presents the Maine EMS for Children Program award and shakes the hand of RN and Charge Nurse Michelle Cuva on Nov. 13 at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington. Cuva held a vital role in the process of bringing the program to the hospital. Also seen behind, from left, are Emergency Department Director Dr. Jodi Conrad, RN Blake Hotchkiss, Hospital President Barb Sergio, and Pediatrics Dr. Gabe Civiello. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal
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“At the end of the day, it very well may be my child.”

– Michelle Cuva, RN and Charge Nurse at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital.

President of the hospital Barb Sergio began the event by saying how proud she was of the EMS team for this accomplishment before handing it off to Marc Minkler, program manager at Maine EMS.

EMS for Children and Maine EMS Program Manager Marc speaks at the Maine EMS for Children Program award ceremony on Nov. 13, at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal
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Minkler began his speech by telling the audience that he was going to start by saying something controversial. “We all hate children,” he said, pausing for effect before finishing his sentence. “It’s really important to follow it up by saying we all hate children that are sick, ill, or injured.” He went on to explain that no medical staff hope to see patients filling the hospital, and that no parent wants their child to be in pain. He pointed out the reality that unfortunately, these things do happen.

MaineHealth Pediatrics Doctor and Representative of Maine American Association of Pediatrics Gabe Civiello spoke as well, saying that although pediatric emergencies are less frequent, it is important to be prepared rather than having to send the children to larger hospitals when time is of the essence.

Michelle Cuva, RN and charge nurse with a pediatric background, played a vital part in bringing the program to Maine Health Franklin Hospital. During her speech, she said that before anything else, she is a mom and a member of the community. She said that her son plays dangerous sports. “At the end of the day, it very well may be my child,” Cuva said. “This program offers the opportunity for all hospitals in the state of Maine to continue to collaborate.”

Part of becoming a pediatric ready hospital is being aware of the ever-growing and changing science and medical practices including updated equipment, said Minkler. He pointed out that a 15-year-old child is a much different size than a 15-month-old and that medical equipment needs to be able to accommodate that difference. Another big qualification that Minkler pointed out is policies, making sure that there are updated policies in place on how to deal with things like family reunification, death notifications, and being prepared for unexpected situations.

RN and Charge Nurse Michelle Cuva speaks at the Maine EMS for Children Program award ceremony on Nov. 13 at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal
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The qualifications for becoming a pediatric ready hospital stem from a collaboration between multiple nation-wide and federal associations. In order to achieve the status, hospitals must go through an EMS for Children program that includes education on the topics that Minkler listed as well as spending time and money on updating their services.

Cuva said that the process took around two years to complete. It started with taking an extensive survey that assessed the equipment, policies, and procedures of the EMS system at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital. Cuva shared that over the two years, the process included a lot of continued education that took place before, during, or after shifts. It took many forms including articles, YouTube videos, and shift simulations. She said that one of the biggest challenges was finding funding and space for supplies.

“When we look at what [MaineHealth] Franklin Hospital has done, they have committed to this and they’ve done it very very well,” said Minkler. He also recognized that becoming pediatric ready is not required by any means. “It is completely voluntary,” he said. “[MaineHealth] Franklin Hospital did not have to do this. They will not be able to bill higher, they’re not going to get reimbursement for this. They have dedicated teams, dedicated staff that said ‘this is important to us.'”

RN Michelle Cuva holds the Maine EMS for Children Program award on Nov. 13 at MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington. Behind her from left is Program Manager Marc Minkler, Dr. Jodi Conrad, RN Blake Hotchkiss, Hospital President Barb Sergio, and Pediatrics Dr. Gabe Civiello. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal
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