Incline Village Community Hospital and Tahoe Forest Hospital Achieve Elite Pediatric Readiness Status

The Emergency Departments of Tahoe Forest Health System, serving both Incline Village Community Hospital (IVCH) and Tahoe Forest Hospital (TFH), have achieved a major milestone in pediatric emergency care, significantly advancing their ability to provide high-quality, child-focused treatment through the successful completion of the nationally recognized Pediatric Readiness Assessment (PRA).

The PRA evaluates hospitals nationwide on their preparedness to deliver safe and effective emergency care to children. Since 2022, Tahoe Forest Health System has taken a coordinated, team-based approach to strengthening pediatric readiness across both hospital sites.

These efforts focused on closing key gaps in pediatric emergency care, including expanding pediatric-specific equipment and supplies, implementing updated clinical protocols and guidelines, enhancing staff training and competency, improving quality tracking systems, and strengthening coordination with trauma and specialty care partners.

With engaged leadership and frontline champions- including Liz Cooke (IVCH ED Nurse Champion), Julie Morgan (TFH ED Nurse Champion), Julie Madden (TFH Trauma Program Manager), and Dr. Trevor Heneveld (TFH Physician Champion)- the health system has achieved a significant increase in pediatric readiness scores. Both Emergency Departments are now performing well above national benchmarks, reaching elite-level pediatric readiness.

This advancement is especially meaningful for families in Incline Village, Truckee, and surrounding mountain communities, where geography and seasonal conditions can delay access to specialized pediatric services.

With enhanced pediatric readiness across the health system, families benefit from:

• Access to high-quality emergency care for children closer to home
• Safer, more coordinated and consistent care across both hospitals
• Reduced need for long-distance transfers in many cases
• Greater confidence during critical moments

In rural mountain regions, access to pediatric emergency services often requires travel over long distances and challenging terrain. By elevating pediatric readiness across both Emergency Departments, Tahoe Forest Health System is helping ensure that children receive timely, high-quality care right in their own communities.