October 14, 2025, Iowa Falls, IA: Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls is the sixteenth hospital in Iowa to be recognized for readiness to provide emergency care for children through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) EMS for Children program’s new Iowa Pediatric Emergency Assessment and Care (IPEAC) Recognition Program, the hospital announced today.

IPEAC was designed and launched in 2023 by the Iowa Emergency Medical Services for Children program. It recognizes the work of hospitals of all sizes to ensure each is prepared to provide initial stabilization, treatment and any needed transfers to definitive care for ill and injured children in Iowa.

“IPEAC focuses on support, encouragement and resource sharing to help raise the bar for pediatric care in all Iowa hospitals,” said Brad VandeLune, chief of Iowa HHS’s Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services. “We are proud of Hansen Family Hospital’s work in pediatric care. This recognition really demonstrates that hospitals of all sizes can achieve the program goals and provide quality emergency care for children.”

Hansen Family Hospital is a 21-bed hospital located in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Participation in the IPEAC program has been offered to all 121 Iowa hospitals. To be recognized, hospitals must complete an application that includes requirements for equipment, training and support of pediatric patients and their families. Evaluation of applicants includes a site visit to the hospital.

“We are proud to be the sixteenth hospital in the state to receive this recognition,” said Brittanee Deeringer, RN, Emergency Department Team Lead, Trauma Coordinator, and Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator. “It really underscores our work to care for patients of all ages. We are grateful for the support provided by this new program, which will help to ensure that Iowa's health care facilities are ready and able to provide the best emergency help for children."  

Iowa Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is a program of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services. IPEAC and EMSC are funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.