MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford Receive 鈥楳aine Always Ready for Children鈥� Recognition

January 23, 2025

The Pediatric Innovator designation by the Maine Emergency Medical Services for Children Program demonstrates the two hospital emergency departments meet the highest readiness standards.

BIDDEFORD, Maine 鈥� Maine Emergency Medical System for Children (Maine EMS-C) is recognizing AOA体育平台 Maine Medical Center Biddeford (MHMMC Biddeford) and AOA体育平台 Maine Medical Center Sanford (MHMMC Sanford) for meeting the 鈥淢aine Always Ready for Children鈥� standards at the highest possible level 鈥� Pediatric Innovator.

Maine Always Ready for Children examines hospital emergency departments in how they assess, treat and stabilize pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies. On Thursday, Jan. 23, Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler presented MHMMC Biddeford and Sanford leaders with a plaque recognizing the emergency departments鈥� achievement.

鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and innovation of our entire team,鈥� said Dr. Brandon Giberson, associate chief of emergency medicine and medical director of the MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford emergency departments. 鈥淲e are constantly striving to improve the care we provide to our youngest patients, and this award validates the impact of our efforts. We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to providing the highest quality, most compassionate care to children in need.鈥�

The Always Ready for Children program is a joint effort by EMS for Children programs in all six New England States, New York and New Jersey to recognize hospitals that show a voluntary commitment to improving their readiness for pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies.

Among the criteria Maine EMS-C examines as it assesses emergency departments are:

  • Equipment, supplies and medications for pediatric patients
  • Pediatric quality and performance improvement efforts
  • Safety measures, including documenting the weight of pediatric patients in kilograms for safer medication dosing
  • Policies, procedures and processes to collaborate with all Maine hospitals on pediatric patient care

Hospital emergency departments can be recognized at the Pediatric Ready, Pediatric Engaged or Pediatric Innovator level, depending on their commitment to these metrics, which are based on national standards developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Emergency Nurses Association, American College of Emergency Physicians, The American College of Surgeons and the EMS for Children Improvement and Innovation Center.

鈥淭he work and continuing efforts of AOA体育平台, and the emergency departments at MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford show a true commitment in helping to ensure a high level of preparedness for emergency pediatric care,鈥� said Maine EMS-C Program Manager Marc Minkler. 鈥淏y adopting these evidence-based, voluntary standards, the entire staff and hospital system shows a dedication to pediatric care both today and for the future. Congratulations to all of the healthcare providers and staff who made this recognition possible.鈥�

Pediatric Innovators not only exceed the Always Ready for Children standards but help other hospitals with their readiness. MHMMC Biddeford and MHMMC Sanford are the third emergency departments in Maine to meet the standards at the Pediatric Innovator level. AOA体育平台 Maine Medical Center Portland and AOA体育平台 Pen Bay Hospital previously received the designation. AOA体育平台 Franklin Hospital also has received recognition at the Pediatric Ready level.

You can learn more about Maine Always Ready for Children at .

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About AOA体育平台

AOA体育平台 is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, 鈥淲orking together so our communities are the healthiest in America,鈥� and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. AOA体育平台 includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, AOA体育平台 provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. AOA体育平台 hospitals include AOA体育平台 Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, AOA体育平台 Franklin Hospital in Farmington, AOA体育平台 Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, AOA体育平台 Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, AOA体育平台 Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., AOA体育平台 Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, AOA体育平台 Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, AOA体育平台 Stephens Hospital in Norway and AOA体育平台 Waldo Hospital in Belfast. AOA体育平台 also includes the AOA体育平台 Barbara Bush Children鈥檚 Hospital in Portland, AOA体育平台 Behavioral Health in Westbrook, AOA体育平台 Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the AOA体育平台 Institute for Research in Scarborough, the AOA体育平台 Medical Group and AOA体育平台 NorDx in Scarborough. AOA体育平台 affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the AOA体育平台 Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.