EMS providers care for pediatric patients and families during high stress and emotionally charged situation where both medical and psychological needs are critical. Trauma Informed Care provides a practical framework for recognizing how prior trauma, developmental stages, and acute stress influence behavior and response to care. Despite its growing use in hospital settings, TIC remains underutilized in the prehospital environment. This presentation introduces the core principles of TIC and their application in pediatric EMS care. Using case based examples such as motor vehicle crash, behavioral emergencies, and children with chronic medical conditions, it will highlight how common EMS approach may unintentionally escalate distress and how small adjustments based on TIC awareness can improve cooperation and care. Participants will learn practical strategies to enhance psychological safety, communicate effectively with children, support caregivers, and preserve a sense of control during care. The session will also demonstrate how TIC can reduce scene conflict, improve efficiency, and decrease provider stress. By integrating trauma informed approaches into routine practice, EMS providers can improve patient and family experience while supporting their own resilience. TIC is not additional work, it is a fundamental component of high quality pediatric emergency care.
840 Armed Forces Dr
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
United States
1. Define trauma informed care and explain its relevance in prehospital pediatric care.
2. Recognize the signs of acute and chronic trauma in pediatric patients and families.
3. Apply practical trauma informed communication and care strategies in high stress EMS scenarios.
4. Describe how trauma informed care improves outcomes for patients, families and EMS providers.