Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care, which opened for membership in 2011, is a voluntary program recognizing hospitals that have demonstrated their ability to stabilize and/or manage pediatric emergencies. AzAAP’s voluntary certification program recognizes hospitals that meet specific criteria for personnel training and equipment that support optimal care for ill or injured infants, children, and teens.  Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care is a partnership between hospitals, physicians, nurses, emergency personnel and the Emergency Medical Services for Children program at the Arizona Department of Health Services. 

Certification is available for three levels of care:

Pediatric Prepared Emergency Care- This level of certification provides services for pediatric care as part of a general Emergency Department.  The hospital refers critically ill or injured children to other facilities and may or may not have pediatric inpatient services available. 

Pediatric Prepared Plus Care - This level of certification provides services for most pediatric emergency care. The hospital has a focus on pediatrics, but ICU services for children are not available.  

Pediatric Prepared Advanced Care - This level of certification provides services for all levels of pediatric emergency care.  This hospital system includes a Pediatric intensive care unit and has a specific focus on pediatric services.