Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital Shines with COPPER Pediatric Emergency Room Designation

Children coming to the hospital for emergency medical care may look and act like small humans, but their needs – especially in a medical emergency – greatly differ from adults. That’s the premise behind Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER).

Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette is now recognized as a COPPER Pediatric Advanced designated hospital. Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction also carries the designation.

The COPPER designation underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional medical care to children in emergency situations. The certification, awarded by the Emergency Medical Services for Children program, ensures the highest standards of safety and preparedness for those young patients.

Good Samaritan caregivers began the journey a year ago by updating policies, obtaining specialized equipment, and ensuring caregivers participated in ongoing education. The team had elements in place to address the unique needs of children in emergencies, and this recognition reinforces that commitment.

“We are proud of the strides we have made in pediatric care and the positive impact it has on our communities,” said Jannice Juliano, regional service line director for emergency and trauma care for Intermountain Health. Juliano is the former emergency department director for St. Mary’s and helped lead that team to achieve the designation.

Pediatric patients comprise more than 5% of the overall annual volume of patients treated in the Good Samaritan Hospital emergency room, but those patients have unique needs. “It’s a lower volume, high risk population for us,” said Marian Dirks, emergency department director at Good Samaritan Hospital. “We want to make sure that we are focused on the things we need to do for the pediatric population because they’re not just small adults.”

Intermountain Health, with 34 hospitals in six states, continues to support pediatric readiness efforts across the system including regular meetings with the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators.