BCMH Achieves Always Ready for Kids (ARK) Recognition

WVU Medicine critical access facilities Braxton County Memorial Hospital and Summersville Regional Medical Center were recently recognized individually as an ARK (Always Ready for Kids) certified facility.
Realizing a need for improvement in pediatric emergency care services, the WV Office of Emergency Medical Services (WVOEMS) initiated a plan for action. A committee consisting of pediatricians, paramedics, registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, and WV Office of Emergency Medical Services staff was created in 2009 to develop an Always Ready for Kids (ARK) program in West Virginia. The intent would be to help ensure that a statewide, standardized system exists in which all hospital emergency departments demonstrate an established plan and/or the ability to manage medical and trauma pediatric emergencies. After several regional educational rollouts, the first ARK verification site visits were effectively conducted in the Summer of 2011 and have continued to present.
Summersville Regional Medical Center and Braxton County Memorial Hospital, both Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) within the WVU Medicine family are Level IV Trauma Centers and recently received ARK (Always Ready for Kids) recognition following application approval and site visits in October 2023 and March 2024 respectively. To successfully achieve ARK recognition, both facilities were evaluated on criteria in each of the following categories: Airway Management, Pediatric Resuscitation, Continuing Education, Quality Assurance, Emergency Department Services, Performance Improvement, Immobilization, Radiology, Personnel, Specialized Pediatric Trays, Monitoring/Assessment, Vascular Access, Policies and Procedures, Miscellaneous (scales, external heat sources, etc.) and Chart Reviews from each of the following categories: Trauma, Illness, Respiratory Disease, and Death.
A 100% compliance with “Essential” elements and 70% of “Desired” elements had to be demonstrated to receive the recognition which is valid for a three (3) year period.
Studies have shown that facilities with Emergency Departments that are “Always Ready for Kids” or “Pediatric Ready” have improved outcomes because they are equipped to meet the unique physical and psychosocial needs of children.
Summersville Regional Medical Center and Braxton County Memorial Hospital consider this recognition a great honor that comes with great responsibility. Each facility and staff are committed and “Ready” to care for the children in their communities and surrounding areas.
CEO, Louis Roe commended the efforts of his team in saying “I am extremely appreciative of the hard work and dedication my team has demonstrated for this project. Providing high quality care with no exception to age is a priority. I am confident in our ability to meet the needs of the community, always.”