Recent Quality Improvement reviews have shown that, as a region, we are falling below national standards in our care of children (see chart). The STREMAC has determined that all EMS personnel in the region should receive a Pediatric Inservice.

The Southern Tier Regional EMS Council's Training Committee has developed an inservice for your use. This program focuses on the special skills required in the care of our younger patients.

The program is intended to serve all levels of training, so some of the material presented may be beyond the scope of practice of some providers. If you haven't seen it, you may request a copy from the STREMS office (specify hard copy or CD), or you can view it on the STREMS website (www.strems.org/peds.html).

The STREMAC has requested that all EMS personnel view the program before March 30, 2004. At that time, pediatric care will be re-assessed through the regional Quality Improvement program. If you haven't viewed the program yet, you can still review it and take the test.

Two hours of STREMS Regional CME credits will be awarded to those who wish to earn credit by successfully completing, passing and sub-mitting the CME test to the STREMS Office by March 31, 2004. CME Certificates will be issued and mailed not later than May 1, 2004 but dated the date that the test is received in the STREMS office.

Whether or not you choose to take the test for credit, the STREMAC would like a list of all who have viewed the program. Please let us know by April 15, 2004, if you have viewed the inservice - e-mail to strems@stny.rr.com, fax to 732-2661 or mail to STREMS, 315 W Water St, Elmira NY 14901