The STARS (Special Needs Tracking and Response System) program was started in 2014 to bridge gaps in caring for children with special health care needs in the prehospital setting.
Since its inception, it has evolved into a hospital based, physician lead program with individualized EMS care plans stored on an electronic server and accessible to units responding to these patients.
In addition to the development of patient specific plans that are not within the local EMS protocol, this program has led to targeted EMS training and improved interdisciplinary care coordination. This program has also shown a decrease in EMS transports to the hospital.
The program started with 14 patients in one EMS jurisdiction and has now expanded to 2424 patients across 3 states. As the program expands, there is an aim to expand these care plans to include disaster preparedness, such as back up plans for patients dependent on electricity and plans to access critical medications during emergencies.
References
Pintea M, Finney J, Salzman N, Clukies L, Miljkovic M, Ahmad FA, Laffey S. Enhancing Prehospital Care for Medically Complex Children: The Evolution of the STARS Program. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2026 Apr 23. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003610. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42021582.