• The Emergency Department at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital has earned Pediatric Ready Facility Recognition from the Ohio Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Program.
• The recognition reflects pediatric-focused preparation involving policies, equipment, staff training, patient-safety practices, disaster planning and continuous quality improvement.
• Pediatric Ready recognition is valid for three years and represents an ongoing commitment to maintaining readiness for children who need emergency care.

The emergency department at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital has been recognized as a Pediatric Ready Facility by the Ohio Emergency Medical Services for Children State Partnership Program, also known as Ohio EMSC. The recognition reflects the hospital’s alignment with national pediatric emergency care standards and its commitment to providing timely, safe and appropriate care for children and families. Riverside Methodist officially received the recognition in July 2026.

Children have distinct medical and emotional needs during an emergency. Being Pediatric Ready means an emergency department has prepared in advance with pediatric-focused policies and procedures, appropriately sized equipment and supplies, staff training and competencies specific to children, patient-safety practices, disaster plans that address pediatric needs and ongoing quality-improvement efforts.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire emergency department team and the intentional work that goes into being ready for children,” said Cyndole Messer, BSN, RN, ED Clinical Nurse Manager, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. “Our physicians, nurses and support teams worked together to strengthen our pediatric processes, participate in simulations and evaluate how we respond to the unique needs of children and their families. Pediatric Readiness is something we will continue to build upon every day.”

“Providing high-quality emergency care for children requires preparation long before a child arrives in the emergency department,” said Brad Raetzke, MD, Assistant Medical Director, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Emergency Department. “This recognition reflects our commitment to maintaining the training, resources and clinical expertise needed to care for pediatric patients safely and effectively whenever they need us.”

Achieving Pediatric Ready Recognition is the result of coordinated work among emergency physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, support staff and Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators. Eligible hospitals participate voluntarily by submitting required materials, completing a structured review and taking part in an onsite or virtual verification visit. Ohio EMSC provides guidance and technical assistance throughout the process.

Most children who require emergency treatment receive that care in community hospital emergency departments. Pediatric Readiness standards are intended to help those departments maintain the people, processes and equipment needed to care for children safely and effectively.

“Families should feel confident that when they come to Riverside during an emergency, our teams have taken purposeful steps to prepare for pediatric patients,” said Rob Cercek, president, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. “This recognition speaks to our associates’ commitment to safety, teamwork and continuous improvement. It also reinforces our responsibility to provide children and families with compassionate care during moments when they need us most.”

The standards supporting the recognition draw on national initiatives, including the National Pediatric Readiness Project and the Joint Policy Statement on Pediatric Readiness in the emergency department. They address pediatric-specific policies, appropriately sized supplies and equipment, staff competencies, patient safety, disaster preparedness and quality-improvement processes.

Pediatric Ready Recognition remains valid for three years. During that period, Riverside Methodist will continue its focus on pediatric training, evaluation, equipment, policies and quality improvement.

About OhioHealth

OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, faith-based health system serving patients across Ohio through hospitals, physician practices, ambulatory locations and other health services. Guided by its mission to improve the health of those it serves, OhioHealth provides compassionate care while supporting medical innovation, education and community health.

About Ohio EMSC and Pediatric Readiness

Ohio EMSC is Ohio’s Emergency Medical Services for Children state partnership program. It advances Pediatric Readiness among hospitals and EMS agencies through education, technical assistance, resources and statewide coordination involving pediatric emergency care standards. The program is supported by a federal EMSC grant and is housed administratively at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau Emergency Medical Services for Children grant number H33MC48997, with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, or an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Staying hydrated, resting and cooling off in the shade are more important now than ever. Hospitals in the area are anticipating an increase in patients visiting this week, due to the intense temperatures outdoors.

“We’ve already seen quite an uptick because of all the events around Columbus,” Bradley Raetzke, MD, OhioHealth assistant medical director of Emergency Services, told NBC4 reporter Isabel Cleary. “Things like the air show, the Pride festival. We’ve really seen an uptick in people who have actually been quite sick because of the heat.”

Feeling sick outdoors is not always related to the heat. However, Dr. Raetzke says feeling lightheaded, thirsty or tired are indicative of early signs of heat injury. More serious signs include being unable to sweat or beginning to have feelings of nausea and vomiting.

For every 10 to 15 minutes of outside movement, you should be drinking 12 to 16 ounces of water to combat heat related illness. 

People most frequently come to receive care in the afternoon. These are “people who have been in construction, landscaping, and have really been outside for most of the day,” Dr. Raetzke said. With the current heatwave, staying hydrated is key to continuing on with your life, without an unforeseen trip to the doctor. 

“Watch out for yourself and watch out for your family members, people may not actually understand that they’re feeling the symptoms of heat,” Dr. Raetzke said. 

If you have followed the above precautions and still feel ill, please seek medical attention. 

To learn more about OhioHealth Emergency Care, click here.

For more articles on summer safety and heat stroke signs, visit the links below:

https://www.10tv.com/article/weather/weather-blog/ohio-heat-wave-hot-temperatures-columbus-area/530-a3cb40d2-d516-43f5-8db8-aae2c8455e75?

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/how-to-recognize-heat-stroke-during-hot-days/?

Dr. Brad Raetzke, assistant medical director of emergency care at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, sat down with Spectrum News 1 host, Mike Kallmeyer, on "In Focus Ohio" to discuss why backyard fireworks really aren’t safe at all.

“The most numerous types of injuries we see are small burns,” said Dr. Raetzke. “But the most devastating are the major traumas that we see which would be third degree burns that are caused by house fires set as a result of fireworks.” And depending on the size of the fireworks, blast injuries will also be seen.

Dr. Raetzke believes the best way to prevent injuries is education. “I think the first thing is to increase awareness. Because it’s knowing that while they look harmless of small fire crackers, sparklers, they really are quite dangerous. So its understanding from a parents point of view, these not safe to put into hands of children because one second your fine and the next you now have permanent blindness. It’s just not worth the risk,” said Dr. Raetzke.

Even sparklers, which may seem harmless, reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees!  Experts recommend using safer toys like glowsticks to celebreate the holiday.

If an accident does happen it is “important to recognize the injuries and the severity of it,” said Dr. Raetzke. Look to see if it is serious and call 911 if it is. You can also click here to find an OhioHealth Emergency Department near you.

Many people believe that because it is legal that it must be safe and that is not the case. This Fourth of July make sure you are keeping yourself and the kids safe by going to see a professional fireworks show. It is safer, and less work!

Click on the Spectrum News 1 logo below to see the full interview and learn more safety tips.