Improving risk prediction for children who call EMS with non‑emergent complaints
Official title: Improving risk prediction for children seeking emergency medical services (EMS) care with non-emergent complaints
Funded at Children's Research Institute · NIH-11416078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric-focused project to refine and pilot a risk score (POPS) so EMS workers can safely decide which kids truly need ambulance transport to the ED.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,170 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HS029515-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children encountered by EMS for non‑emergent complaints who could be safely managed without ED transport, as determined by EMS clinicians during the pilot.
✕Less likely to help
Children with clearly emergent conditions requiring immediate ED care or those not suitable for risk-based triage.
What this research studies
This project adapts a pediatric risk score to the EMS setting to reduce unnecessary transports and delays for children with non‑emergent concerns. It involves refining factors that predict safe non‑emergency management and testing the tool with EMS clinicians in real-world scenarios. The study aims to improve accuracy of triage at the scene, potentially preserving EMS resources for those in urgent need. If successful, the tool could help more children avoid unnecessary ambulance trips while maintaining safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children may experience quicker, safer care decisions and EMS resources could be used more efficiently.
How similar studies have gone: POPS has been validated in EDs and shows good reliability; its EMS applicability is being tested in this project.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Research Institute
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ward, Caleb — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ward, Caleb
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.