FL H0355

Hospital emergency departments must develop evidence-based policies for pediatric care covering triage, vital signs, weighing patients in kilograms, medication dosage calculations, and use of pediatric instruments

Annual staff training required on pediatric care policies, including clinical simulation for pediatric instruments and emergency drills

Each hospital emergency department must designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator (physician, physician assistant, nurse, or paramedic) responsible for implementing pediatric care policies

Hospitals must conduct the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment per project timelines, with the state agency collecting scores by December 31, 2026 and publishing results with national comparisons by April 1, 2027

Comprehensive emergency management plans must now address the needs of pediatric and neonatal patients, and the agency must adopt rules establishing minimum standards for pediatric equipment and supplies in emergency departments