Prehospital evaluation and care of the special needs and technology-dependent child.

As EMS providers, most of you will care for a child with a special healthcare need at some point in your career. The complexity of these patients and the vast array of specialized equipment required for their medical care, however, need not be frightening. Most of the care these children require will fall within your scope of practice. A rapid assessment using the ABC approach and timely transport to the hospital will be sufficient in the majority of cases. Remember, the child's care provider is a valuable resource and should be used to the fullest extent whenever possible.