DEDICATED SERVICES

Critical to a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center is the availability of a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Pediatric Operating Room (OR) to accept and participate in the treatment of critically injured children. The PICU at Upstate a has a designated trauma room with highly trained dedicated staff who are well prepared to accept a trauma patient at a moment's notice. Upstate has 24/7 OR capability to emergently treat critically injured children, with pediatric resources always available.

Another integral part of the services that are provided here at Upstate is the involvement of Social Work, Case Management and Spiritual Care. Social work is available 24/7 to support families during times of crisis, including assisting with insurance issues, providing support in decision making, providing referrals for accommodations, and assisting with services as patients and families adjust to the injuries sustained that may necessitate future lifestyle changes. Case Management assists with referral for home equipment needs or to other long-term care services. Child Life personnel interact through play and communication to reduce the anxiety that often accompanies hospitalization, enabling patients to better cope with the medical environment. Spiritual Care meets with families to assess what services they can provide and to support children and their families in times when the future may be uncertain and when there are tough choices to be made.

An important part in the continuum of care is assessing the rehabilitation needs of an injured child and preserving optimal functional recovery. Rehabilitation benefits from input from a multidisciplinary team including a physical medicine and rehabilitation provider, physical therapist, occupational therapist, pain control specialist, nutritional therapist, and psychologist who can perform post-traumatic stress evaluation and intervention. At Upstate we have a dedicated inpatient rehabilitation unit for those patients who need intensive specific therapy as well as outpatient services which specialize in both the physical and mental health recovery following a traumatic injury.

The availability of all these services is part of what makes Upstate unique in their ability to effectively care for pediatric patients. These services work together to ensure that the child brought to our pediatric trauma center has the best team possible for their care.

Outpatient Services are supported by Cathleen Caltabiano, PPCNP-BC, Surgery, Inpatient Mental Health Screening are supported by Pediatric Clinical Psychologists including Kathryn Hagen, PsyD

The American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) established a Verification, Review and Consultation (VRC) Program to assist hospitals in their evaluation of trauma readiness and to improve overall trauma care. This verification process is conducted every 3 years over a rigorous 2-day site visit in which the entire trauma program is reviewed using Resources for Optimal care of the Injured Patient as a guide in the process. In addition to reviewing all aspects of medical care provided (from pre-hospital to rehabilitation), other categories such as hospital commitment to the success of the trauma program, trauma readiness, education, available resources, policies, and performance improvement measures are also assessed.

A successful verification establishes the distinction that a program has succeeded in meeting the demanding requirements established by the ACSCOT. Few hospitals have been able to achieve this recognition. In New York State there are currently 7 Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers and 6 Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers. Proudly, Upstate has held the distinction of being a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center since 2013 and has continued to provide comprehensive, reliable, specialized pediatric trauma care of the highest standard since its first verification. Maintaining an ACSverified level I pediatric trauma center verification provides a significant, farreaching service to the Central New York trauma region and community.

A Certified Child Life Specialist is a healthcare professional who plays a vital role in the treatment of the injured child by focusing on the psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs of children and families during medical encounters.

The Child Life Specialist holds a bachelor's or master's degree in Child Life or a related field that includes education in child development, medical aspects of hospitalization, developmental disabilities, and educational modalities. In addition, candidates must complete a 600-hour internship and successfully pass a certification exam given by the Association for Child Life professionals.

The Child Life Specialist is part of the activation team that receives an alert. At the moment the alert is received, the child life specialist mentally begins the preparation for what the pediatric trauma patient might need based on the patient’s age and potential injury. They are well versed in the medical evaluation, diagnostic tests and initial treatment process that takes place in the trauma bay. They are at the patient’s bedside every step of the way to give the patient a friendly face to focus on and can explain to the child the details of what is happening in a manner that the child can understand. They play a vital role in decreasing anxiety in an unfamiliar world.

Whether the patient’s next step is to the OR, PICU or Pediatric Surgical Floor, there is a child life team member to assist the patient and family throughout their entire hospital stay.

Child Life Therapist Jessica Baker describes her role: “In addition, I can help parents have difficult conversations with patients in relation to injury and loss. I also provide developmentally appropriate resources for parents to talk with siblings about the patient’s injuries. Another significant role is normalizing the hospital and providing patients with play opportunities throughout their admission. We aim to meet the individual needs of every patient and family we work with.”

Ann Botash, MD Co-Director CARE Program

Alicia Pekarsky, MD Co-Director CARE Program

Kristin Razawich, PNP CARE Program