Optimizing the Care of Pediatric Injuries in Rural Environments.

Pediatric readiness is essential to the care of children in rural areas. When pediatric specialty care is not immediately accessible, rural clinicians may be required to care for ill or injured children for extended periods of time. Having established programs for pediatric care, including validated quality and safety programs that emphasize pediatric readiness, is an essential component to caring for rural children. Being prepared to care for children in routine situations is vital to being prepared to care for children in a resource-limited disaster situation.