Access to Critical Health Information for Children During Emergencies: Emergency Information Forms and Beyond
Authors: Callahan James M. , Baldwin Steve , Bodnar Chelsea , Fuchs Susan , Krug Steven , Lightfoot Cynthiana , Raskas Mordechai , Weinberg Stuart ,   COMMITTEE ON PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Conners Gregory , Callahan James , Gonzalez del Rey Javier , Gross Toni , Joseph Madeline , Lee Lois , Mack Elizabeth , Marin Jennifer , Mazor Suzan , Paul Ronald , Timm Nathan , Dietrich Ann , Eisenberg Andrew , Wright Johnson Cynthia , Lightfoot Cynthiana , Macias Charles , Moore Brian , Pilkey Diane , Remick Katherine , Saidinejad Mohsen , Snow Sally , Fallat Mary , Adirim Terry , Agus Michael S. D. , Chun Thomas , Conners Gregory , Conway Edward , Dudley Nanette , Lane Natalie , Macias Charles , Mahajan Prashant , Shook Joan , Wright Joseph , Tellez Sue ,   COUNCIL ON CLINICAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Webber Emily Chui , Chung Sandy Lee , Dufendach Kevin Reid , Harper Marvin Bruce , Kennedy Brandan P. , Lourie Eli Matthew , O’Donnell Heather C. , Sadeghian Reza , Shelov Eric , Suresh Srinivasan , Wiesenthal Andrew Michael , Chan Francis Dick-Wai , Liou Han Yu (Stephanie) , Alexander Gregg M. , Beyer Eric L. , Francis Anne B. , Hamling Alexander M. , Handler Eric G. , Johnson Timothy D. , Kirkendall Eric Steven , Lighter Donald E. , Mann Ann M. , Morgan Stephen James , Weinberg Stuart T. , Wright Jeffrey Alan , Alverson Dale Clark , Raskas Mordechai , Van Cain Melissa Sarah , Krams Lisa ,   COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND DISASTERS, Krug Steven , Chung Sarita , Baum Carl , Grove Deanna Dahl , Davies Dele , Dziuban Eric , Gardner Aaron , Griese Stephanie , Needle Scott , Schonfeld David , Simpson Joelle , Aird Laura ,   AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS, PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE COMMITTEE, Dietrich Ann M. , Alade Kiyetta H. , Amato Christopher S. , Atanelov Zaza , Auerbach Marc , Barata Isabel A. , Benjamin Lee S. , Berg Kathleen T. , Brown Kathleen , Chang Cindy , Chow Jessica , Chumpitazi Corrie E. , Claudius Ilene A. , Easter Joshua , Foster Ashley , Fox Sean M. , Gausche-Hill Marianne , Gerardi Michael J. , Goodloe Jeffrey M. , Heniff Melanie , Homme James (Jim) L. , Ishimine Paul T. , John Susan D. , Joseph Madeline M. , Lam Samuel Hiu-Fung , Lawson Simone L. , Lee Moon O. , Li Joyce , Lin Sophia D. , Martini Dyllon Ivy , Mellick Larry Bruce , Mendez Donna , Petrack Emory M. , Rice Lauren , Rose Emily A. , Ruttan Timothy , Saidinejad Mohsen , Santillanes Genevieve , Simpson Joelle N. , Sivasankar Shyam M. , Slubowski Daniel , Sorrentino Annalise , Stoner Michael J. , Sulton Carmen D. , Valente Jonathan H. , Vora Samreen , Wall Jessica J. , Wallin Dina , Walls Theresa A. , Waseem Muhammad , Woolridge Dale P. , Shahid Sam 
Published: February 2023

Children with chronic medical conditions rely on complex management plans for problems that cause them to be at increased risk for suboptimal outcomes in emergency situations. The emergency information form (EIF) is a medical summary that provides rapid access to critical information to physicians and other members of the health care team so that optimal emergency medical care can be provided. This statement describes an updated approach to EIFs and the information they contain. Essential common data elements are reviewed, integration with electronic health records is discussed, and broadening the rapid availability and use of health data for all children and youth is proposed. A broader approach to data accessibility and use could extend the benefits of rapid access to critical information for all children receiving emergency care as well as further facilitating emergency preparedness during disaster management.