DEDICATED PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (PED) AND PERSONNEL

As a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Upstate has a dedicated PED consisting of staff that is well trained and experienced in pediatric emergencies. As the size and age of the child must always be considered when preparing for and treating an injured child, factors such as weightbased drug dosages and equipment sizes must be considered. Pediatric Emergency Medicine providers are familiar with the specific nuances of pediatric care and have the formalized education, clinical training and experience to anticipate occurrences that may arise frequently in or are unique to the pediatric population.

In order to respond to a pediatric trauma activation, pediatric emergency department nursing staff follow a strict orientation process and must go through a specialized trauma-focused training program which includes taking several nationally recognized and hospital-based courses.

In addition to highly trained personnel, the PED and Trauma Bays have specialized equipment that is tailored to care for pediatric patients.

Dedicated Pediatric Trauma Surgeons

At the center of the Pediatric Trauma Center at Upstate are the team of highly trained and experienced Pediatric Trauma

Surgeons who are always available. This surgical commitment is essential for the trauma center and entire pediatric trauma system to effectively operate. The pediatric surgeon serves as the leader of the resuscitation team and participates in the initial evaluation and resuscitation for the most critically injured patients. They are also responsible for coordinating all aspects of care throughout the trauma patient’s stay.

To serve in this role, the trauma surgeons must have met certain training requirements including board certification, clinical involvement, performance improvement and continuing education.

Dedicated Liaisons and Mid-level Providers

To be certified as a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, there is a requirement to have specific surgical subspecialities that are available to support the pediatric patient's treatment needs. At the forefront of these subspecialties are neurosurgery and orthopedics who must be present

There are additional liaisons who provide input to our trauma system team:

Matthew Thornton, MD

Matthew Sullivan, MD

Ravikumar Hanumaiah, MD

Sarah Harding, MD

Satish Krishnamurthy, MD

Venkata Sampathi, MD and respond within 30 minutes to the most critically injured patients based on patient needs. Other equally important subspecialties include critical care physicians, child abuse providers, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, anesthesia, and radiology. accepting responsibility for the admission and further workup of the patient is critical to smooth transition of care. An important piece of that trauma team includes mid-level providers who are instrumental in ensuring that all the necessary steps are taken to provide the high-quality care that happens here at Upstate.