NCH Pediatric Emergency Department Achieves National Pediatric Readiness Score

NCH Pediatric Emergency Department Achieves Near-Perfect National Pediatric Readiness Score

The Pediatric Emergency Department at NCH’s North Hospital campus has achieved a 99 out of 100 score on the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment, placing it well above the national average score of 80 and the average of 88 for hospitals with similar pediatric volumes.

The National Pediatric Readiness Project is a nationwide initiative that evaluates emergency departments on their ability to provide safe, high-quality care for children, including pediatric-specific equipment, policies, staff training and quality improvement processes.

With a score of 99, the NCH Pediatric Emergency Department ranks 11 percent above the national average for facilities with similar pediatric volumes and is among a small group of hospitals across Florida to complete the national assessment.

“This achievement reflects more than 18 months of collaboration and dedication from teams across NCH,” said Caitlin George, Administrative Director of Emergency Services at NCH. “Our Pediatric Emergency Department staff, clinical leaders and hospital leadership worked together to ensure our processes, training and resources meet the highest standards for pediatric emergency care.”

NCH leaders say the work will continue across the health system with the next goal being to integrate all NCH emergency departments into the National Pediatric Readiness Project. By strengthening pediatric readiness across the system, NCH is raising the standard of care for every child it serves.

“Providing exceptional care for children is a responsibility we take very seriously,” said Paul Hiltz, (FEATURED PHOTO) President and Chief Executive Officer of NCH. “This recognition demonstrates the strength of our emergency teams and our ongoing commitment to ensuring families across Southwest Florida have access to the highest levels of pediatric emergency care when they need it most.”

Pediatric readiness efforts are gaining momentum statewide. The Florida Pediatric Readiness Bill, titled the Health Care Patient Protection Act, is scheduled for a Senate floor vote soon. If passed, the legislation would require hospitals across Florida to implement evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies and participate in the National Pediatric Readiness Project assessment.

NCH continues to expand pediatric services across our region through its collaboration with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and the Van Domelen Institute and planned Pavilion for Women & Children, which will further enhance specialized care for families in Southwest Florida.

About NCH
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is an advanced community healthcare system serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. A locally governed nonprofit, NCH has been recognized among America’s Top 50 hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence. It was also named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital by Modern Healthcare. The system includes NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital, with more than 700 beds and more than 750 physicians, along with medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida. NCH is the region’s only Joint Commission-accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, and its cardiac care program ranks among the top three in the state. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available locally. With the largest provider network, urgent and
immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH continues to advance the quality of care close to home. For more information, visit nchmd.org.