EMS for Children Colorado has recognized Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital as a Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) as a Pediatric Advanced facility—confirming the hospital’s emergency department is equipped, trained, and organized to deliver high-quality care for infants, children, and adolescents.
Lutheran Hospital, located in Wheat Ridge, achieved a 99/100 pediatric readiness score.
The COPPER designation reflects a comprehensive, onsite review of preparedness standards specific to pediatric emergency care, including the presence of nurse and physician Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators (PECCs), regular pediatric education and competencies for emergency staff, and robust, ongoing quality improvement processes that review cases and share targeted guidance with clinicians.
“The COPPER process helps elevate our standard level of care to a level of expert pediatric care,” said Daniel Cheek, MD, emergency physician and Lutheran Hospital’s trauma and EMS liaison. “Data shows that following COPPER guidelines can save young lives. Studies have shown that hospitals with a pediatric readiness score of 88 or higher can reduce mortality risk by up to 76% for ill children and 60% for pediatric trauma patients.”
Preparedness—and continuous improvement in everyday practice—has been a major focus for Lutheran’s emergency team. For example, staff now weigh all pediatric patients in kilograms to ensure accurate, weight-based dosing; bed scales are used appropriately and supplemented for younger children; and teams obtain a full set of vital signs, including blood pressure, on every baby or child to help identify serious illness sooner. They also stock pediatric-sized patient gowns and blood pressure cuffs.
“It’s been a big culture change for us—and it’s been really good,” said Ali Young, RN, pediatric emergency care coordinator at Lutheran. “As a parent, it means there’s an emergency department closer to home that’s equipped to take care of my sick kid.”
Young added that the team is expanding education to sustain readiness. “We’re putting together a three- to four-hour pediatric specific class for emergency care for all of our staff members.”
Lutheran Hospital’s emergency department treats approximately 350–400 pediatric patients each month, with seasonal peaks (e.g., 455 pediatric visits in October/November). Teams also respond to 5–10 pediatric trauma activations per month, mirroring broader community trends.
The COPPER designation assures local EMS partners and families that Lutheran is prepared for children of all ages—from newborns to teens—with the specialized equipment, training, and protocols to recognize and treat serious illness or injury rapidly and effectively.
