Accreditations, verifications and staffing

Dayton Children's received full accreditation from the Joint Commission during their most recent unannounced survey. Surveyors were impressed by our staff and our quality and patient safety processes.

Programs and services recognized

Cancer Care

Dayton Children's accredited Cancer Care Program uses the latest nationally established protocols to care for children with cancer, regardless of their families' economic circumstances. The program at Dayton Children's is one of only 11 accredited pediatric cancer programs in the country.

Emergency care

Regional Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Center at Dayton Children'sre-verified in April 2008 by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Trauma. Dayton Children's is recognized as the place for children when they are injured and need immediate care. In 2007-2008, the pediatric specialists in this area provided emergency care to 54,092 infants, children and teens.

Laboratory

The College of American Pathologists gave Dayton Children’s laboratory full accreditation in 2007. This is a two-year accreditation. The reviewers gave extremely high praise to our staff and the quality of our laboratory. The phrases “exemplary”, “outstanding”, “best I’ve ever seen” and “we’ve learned so much from you” were used throughout the exit interview.

Medical imaging

• Medical imaging services at Dayton Children's are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Is is a priority to use the lowest radiation dose possible to minimize a child's radiation exposure. Read more about low-dose radiation.
• Dayton Children's echocardiography laboratory received accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories. This accreditation was awarded in August 2006. Read more about pediatric cardiology services.
• Dayton Children's MRI was accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR in January 2005). ACR conducts a peer review evaluation and awards accreditation to facilities achieving the highest quality standards in the industry. The MRI was upgraded in October 2005, making it the region's first and only high-definition MRI. The upgraded MRI offers greater testing abilities, more precise imaging and shorter scan times. This means fewer children will need to be sedated.

Pediatric Sleep Center

The Pediatric Sleep Center at Dayton Children's was fully re-accredited by the American College of Sleep Medicine. It is the only sleep program in the region dedicated to the care of children and teens. The program is directed by a physician board-certified in sleep medicine.

Other areas of excellence

Dayton Children's pharmacy was one of three in the country receiving the Award of Excellence in Medication Use Safety. The award is from a national competition that honors outstanding leadership, teamwork, innovation and measurable results.

The integrated pediatric residency program housed at Dayton Children's and Wright Patterson Air Force Base received a prestigious five-year accreditation in 2007 from the Pediatric Residency Review Committee.

Centers of excellence

• Pediatric specialists in our advanced surgery center performed more than 12,000 surgeries in 2006-2007. All with pediatric anesthesia specialists.
• The Wallace Critical Care Complex houses the region's only pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) staffed by pediatric intensivists--physicians specially trained in intensive care medicine. Its innovative design was recognized in 2007 with the national ICU Design Citation Award.
• The staff in our award-winning Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cared for 420 of the region's sickest and tiniest babies in an environment that promotes healing and uses developmental concepts so babies go home sooner.
• The region's only pediatric and neonatal transport teams brought hundred of children and infants to Dayton Children's in specially designed mobile intensive care units.
• Accredited Pediatric Sleep Center 
• Dayton Children's is home to regional treatment centers for cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and sickle cell.
• Dayton Children's asthma care program ensures all children admitted for asthma receive care from physicians board certified in pulmonary medicine, nurses and respiratory therapists.

Staff credentials and expertise

Physicians. Before a physician joins Dayton Children's professional staff, he or she must go through a thorough credentialing process. This process is outlined in the professional staff policies and procedures. All physician appointments are subject to approval by Dayton Children's board of trustees.

• 100 percent of our active staff physicians are board certified/board eligible in at least one key specialty area.
• See our physician directory and physician research activities.

Nurses. Nursing at Dayton Children's follows the philosophy of family-centered care, which ensures the quality, safety and consistency of care across all settings. Our nursing staff goes through an extensive orientation process to ensure they meet professional standards of care.

• 51 percent of our nurses are certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Many of our nurses are master's prepared and have received additional professional certifications in neonatal care, chemotherapy and trauma.
• See Statistics (go to Nursing Statistics) for more information.

For more information, call 937-641-3666.