CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado, has been awarded the Pediatric Advanced designation by the Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) program. This marks Mercy Hospital as the only facility in Southwest Colorado to receive this distinction and places it alongside St. Mary-Corwin Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital—both part of CommonSpirit Health’s Mountain Region—as one of three facilities in the region to hold this advanced status.
The COPPER program, created by EMS for Children Colorado with statewide partners, is a voluntary initiative that aims to help emergency departments improve their standards for pediatric care. The Pediatric Advanced designation represents the highest level of recognition available through COPPER.
To achieve this designation, Mercy Hospital implemented several initiatives: it established a nurse and physician Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator team; developed partnerships with pediatricians and specialty departments such as NICU and Oncology/Hematology; enabled local administration of chemotherapy so children can be treated within their community; mandated ongoing pediatric education for staff; formed a dedicated pediatric committee; launched the “Echoes for Ozzie Program” for special needs patients; standardized code carts across its facility; focused on quality assurance regardless of its rural setting; and continued efforts to unify pediatric triage practices using new systems with chaplain support.
Josh Neff, President of Mercy Hospital, stated: “Our teams pour their heart and soul into being the best they can be for our community, and it is through training and certifications like this that we show it. Earning the Pediatric Advanced designation is an incredible testament to our team’s relentless dedication and proactive efforts to elevate the standard of pediatric emergency care. It reinforces our promise to the families of Southwest Colorado that their children will receive the highest quality of specialized care, right here at home.”
The COPPER program offers two levels: Pediatric Prepared and Pediatric Advanced. According to data cited by COPPER’s organizers, almost 70% of children who need emergency services are treated in departments that see fewer than 15 pediatric patients daily.
By earning this recognition, Mercy Hospital further establishes itself as a regional leader in children’s healthcare through investment in specialized equipment and increased training around pediatric emergency services.
