What is STARS?
STARS is a one-of-a-kind program designed to improve the emergency care for children with complex medical needs. Each child receives a personally tailored care plan designed specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) professionals and emergency department (ED) staff.
The program allows EMS professionals to be prepared for the unexpected and to be familiar with a variety of uncommon diseases and disorders, ensuring providers feel comfortable and effective when caring for patients with complex medical conditions.
Who is eligible for STARS?
The number of children living with complex medical conditions has increased over the past 50 years because of advances in medicine that help them to live longer and remain at home with their families.
We enroll various patients with complex medical conditions and technology dependence, including — but not limited to — children with:
- Tracheostomy and home ventilator dependence
- On home hospice or with specific end-of-life plans
- Neurological disorders
- Atypical seizures
- Specific seizure plans
- Genetic disorders
- Cerebral shunts
- Cardiac disorders
How does STARS help my child?
Each patient is given a STARS lanyard with unique ID their number. Families relay that number to the 911 dispatcher, and that child’s needs are instantly communicated to EMS agencies and our Emergency Department, allowing our providers to access these care plans ahead of time and prepare for safe and effective treatment. This saves valuable time for patients, allowing treatments to begin as soon as EMS professionals arrive on scene.
Additionally, the STARS number follows the child, not the home location. If an emergency happens outside the home, the child's care plan will still be available to EMS as long as the STARS number is relayed to 911 dispatch.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the STARS program, please email our STARS Coordinators.
Impact of STARS
Currently, there are more than 1,000 patients enrolled in the STARS program through over 100 different ambulance agencies spanning multiple states.
“This is a wonderful example that demonstrates the full potential of the STARS program applied in an EMS setting. With the EMS teams being provided information about the specific needs of each complex pediatric patient prior to an emergency, they are better prepared to confidently assess and treat that patient when needed. In STARS and EMS working together for positive outcomes, this not only provides compassionate clinical excellence, it saves lives.”
–Joshua Hemmelman, Deputy Chief at Rock Township Ambulance District
For STARS Families
We are constantly striving to improve the STARS program. Our success in providing the most appropriate and safe care depends on you. Please send us your questions and comments.
Email our STARS Coordinators.
For EMS professionals
Trainings and resources are available year-round for first responders, physicians, nurses and other health professionals. Contact Gina Pellerito or Jaime Meier at to schedule a training or use the links below.
• EMS Educational Opportunities
• BJC HealthCare and Washington University trauma resources
To inquire about enrolling a patient in your community in the STARS program, please email our STARS coordinators.
