Engage – Calm – Distract Understanding and Responding to Children in Crisis. A Resource Kit for EMS and Emergency Department Providers

Responders report that their own emotional responses, lack of experience in working with children, and the emotions of family members can negatively affect the quality of care when responding to pediatric emergencies. This resource kit provides information, strategies, and activities to help both pre-hospital and hospital emergency providers reduce the emotional distress of children in crisis. Quickly engaging, calming, and distracting children and their caregivers can improve both immediate and long-term physical and emotional outcomes for pediatric patients.