PDTree

A tool for EMS Pediatric Destination Choice

The PDTree App guides prehospital providers to select the best type of destination for their pediatric patients. The goal of EMS is to ensure a patient gets the RIGHT care at the RIGHT time. For many patients, that means being transported to the RIGHT destination.

Not every hospital in a geographic area offers pediatric inpatient services or pediatric surgeons or other specialists.

The PDTree is an evidence based guideline to suggest the type of pediatric hospital which can meet a child’s definitive needs. The PDTree defines four levels of pediatric care; designated trauma/burn centers, comprehensive pediatric facility (with pediatric ICU and surgical services), regional pediatric facility (with pediatric inpatient care or 24/7 pediatric specialists in the ED) and local pediatric ready facility. The PDTree App is designed for use by EMS providers providing scene based care and transport.

The PDTree App providers users with a normal range of pediatric weight (in kg) and vital signs for patients of varying ages. The App allows EMS providers to indicate specific presenting problems or provider impressions and suggests an optimal destination type. The App utilizes location services to identify specific facilities of the optimal type in the nearby geographic area with linkage to navigation guide.

Development of the PDTree App was supported by a Targeted Issues Project Grant from the HRSA EMS for Children program.