Mind the Gaps: What Simulation Reveals About Pediatric Readiness in EMS

How well do EMS teams manage critically ill pediatric patients—and how do we know? In this episode of the EMS Educator Podcast, hosts Rob Lawrence and Maia Dorsett speak with Mark Cicero, lead author of a landmark study published in Prehospital Emergency Care. The study used simulation to assess EMS performance in pediatric emergencies.
From medication dosing errors to missed fundamentals like cap refill checks, Dr. Cicero breaks down what the study revealed across more than 150 simulations in three states. Dr. Dorsett shares how the findings challenged her own assumptions as an educator and led to reflections on curriculum design, quality improvement, and the need for deliberate, high-frequency pediatric practice.
They also explore the power of SIM Box—a free, low-tech, high-impact simulation toolkit—and how small, creative learning opportunities can help EMS clinicians gain confidence, accuracy, and readiness for rare but high-stakes pediatric calls.
Whether you're a field provider, educator, or medical director, this episode offers practical insights and real tools to help build a system of pediatric care that’s proactive, not reactive.

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

Mentioned in the episode:

Simbox: https://www.emergencysimbox.com/emstelesimbox

Quality of Care and Opportunities for Improvement in Prehospital Care of Critically Ill Pediatric Patients, An Observational, Simulation-Based Study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10903127.2025.2500715

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