KIDBase: Kids Information Database Access System for Emergencies

KIDBase is a program developed by the NC State Office of Emergency Medical Services for Children in 1999. The project is intended to better prepare families, EMS personnel and caregivers for emergencies involving a medically fragile child. KIDBase identifies special needs kids in the community and registers their medical information with the local EMS agency.

Through the cooperation of various agencies throughout the State of North Carolina children are recommended to the program. Children can also be referred by their physician, school nurse or their parents. Once introduced to the program, the parents are given a medical information sheet for their doctor to fill out. This information sheet was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians especially for the use of medically fragile children. The sheet includes the name and address of the child as well as the medical diagnosis, baseline information, current medications, and any emergency medical plans that may already be in place. Copies of this information sheet are then given to the local EMS agency who will keep them on file. It is recommended that additional copies are given to the school, day care and anyone else who regularly cares for the child. One copy is to remain with the child at all times by placing it in the school or diaper bag where it will always be accessible to emergency care providers.

In the event of a medical emergency involving a KIDBase child, the caregiver is instructed to call 911, state the nature of the emergency and the location and then state: "This is a KIDBase child". This will alert the dispatch operator that there is medical information for that child on file. He can then relay the information to the EMS agency. Such advance warning can help the EMS personnel to better prepare for that particular emergency en route.

Various EMS agencies throughout the state are using KIDBase in their own way. Large areas with dense population will use their computer database to house the KIDBase information. Small counties with limited resources will keep hard copies available at the EMS agency. Some agencies have even used Kidbase to conduct home visits of medically fragile children in their area; meeting the child and the parents and scouting out the locations to find a quicker route to the home. Such community outreach goes a long way toward increasing the comfort level of the medically fragile child and his parents.

For more information on KIDBase, contact EMSC Program Manager Gloria Hale at 919.855.3953 or Email at Gloria.Hale@ncmail.net.

Meet Atle Rinholm!!

The NC EMSC KIDBase kid!