Pikeville Medical Center is First Emergency Department in Kentucky to Earn Certified Autism Center™ Designation
Pikeville Medical Center’s Emergency Department, a Pediatric Ready Emergency Department, is now the first ER in Kentucky to become a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Pikeville’s ED is deemed one of a few hospitals in Kentucky to be Pediatric Ready by the Kentucky Emergency Medical Services for Children (KYEMSC) Program, which makes their autism training and certification vital to caring for all patients, including those with autism.
“The growing number of patients we see in the ED highlights a need for us to provide this new addition for our pediatric patients, close to home,” said Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) ED Director, Dale Morton. “We will be able to offer patients the same quality care without traveling outside of the area in a more pediatric friendly atmosphere.”
One in fifty-four children are diagnosed with autism, according to the CDC, and many more children and adults are on the autism spectrum but are undiagnosed. The IBCCES CAC designation requires staff to complete autism training and certification to ensure they can better treat and manage the care of patients on the autism spectrum or with sensory needs.
“Receiving this recognition could not have come at a better time. Pikeville Medical Center is growing in leaps and bounds when it comes to pediatric care,” said Clinical Manager of the PMC ED Brandi Adkins, RN, BSN. “With the announcement and upcoming construction of the children’s hospital and the development of a pediatric wing within our emergency department, this recognition is a great starting point for what is to come at PMC.”
Individuals with autism typically have different needs related to communication, pain perception, and other treatments. The IBCCES program was created by clinical experts as well as individuals on the autism spectrum to ensure a well-rounded approach. Offering care that includes a patient’s family in each step of the process will continue and remain a primary goal of Pikeville’s ED, as the doctors and nurses are specially trained to treat pediatric patients.
“Being awarded this certification is a true honor,” said Megan Allen, Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator at PMC. “It’s hard to put into words how proud I am, not only of our Emergency Department but our facility as a whole. We are doing great things here at PMC, with making advancements in the care of our pediatric population a top priority.”
For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for education, healthcare, and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES provides evidence-based training and certification programs created in conjunction with clinical experts as well as individuals with autism in order to provide professionals serving individuals with cognitive disorders a better understanding of common needs for individuals with these disorders, new research, and industry best practices from experts in a variety of specialties.
“IBCCES is thrilled to announce the commitment to excellence Pikeville Medical Center Emergency Department has made. Individuals with autism need providers who truly understand their needs to ensure the best experience possible,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman.
IBCCES also created CertifiedAutismCenter.com, as a free online resource for parents that lists certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.
###
About IBCCES
Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are the only training and certification programs endorsed by the largest grassroots autism organization in the world, The Autism Society of America, and recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.
Pikeville Medical Center (About Us)
Pikeville Medical Center’s Emergency Department has been named a Pediatric Ready Emergency Department by the Kentucky Emergency Medical Services for Children (KYEMSC) Program.
The goal of the KYEMSC Program is to decrease pediatric mortality and morbidity due to severe illness or injury by enhancing pediatric emergency care services throughout the Commonwealth through building partnerships across the continuum of emergency care, offering special programs and training opportunities, and through policy development which is required of a Pediatric Ready Certified Emergency Department.
“After serving many years as a police officer, I decided to follow my heart into the nursing field. Both careers allow me to serve others, but being an RN in the Pikeville Medical Center Emergency Department gives me the opportunity to treat patients every day who are experiencing perhaps the worst day of their lives. My nursing career in the PMC ED began in 2012 and I was able to thrive in the unpredictable atmosphere that exists in emergency medicine. In 2017, I was promoted to Director of the PMC Emergency Department, where I am responsible for daily operations and the care of the patients who are brought through our doors.
Pikeville Medical Center’s (PMC) Emergency Department (ED) is seeing an increasing number of pediatric patients. This growing group prompted PMC to begin the certification process in November 2019 to become “Pediatric Ready” by the Kentucky Emergency Medical Services for Children (KYEMSC) Program.
