Colorado EMS COPPER designation for Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital confirms is ready to deliver high-quality care for infants, children, and adolescents
Denver, CO (PRUnderground) July 15th, 2026
Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver has been recognized by EMS for Children Colorado with a Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) designation, confirming the hospital’s emergency department is equipped, trained, and organized to deliver high-quality care for infants, children, and adolescents.
Intermountain Health’s Northglenn freestanding emergency department has also earned COPPER designation, becoming the first and only freestanding emergency department in the region to achieve this recognition.
In the United States, approximately 83% of children seeking emergency care are treated in general emergency departments rather than specialized pediatric facilities. Research shows pediatric-prepared emergency departments can reduce pediatric trauma mortality by up to 60%, highlighting the importance of readiness in community hospitals.
The COPPER designation reflects a comprehensive review of pediatric emergency preparedness, including specialized staffing, ongoing training, pediatric-focused protocols, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
At Saint Joseph Hospital, this work is driven by a multidisciplinary Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) team made up of emergency physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing leadership, and frontline nurses. The team leads pediatric-specific education, quarterly mock trauma scenarios, and chart reviews to ensure the highest standard of care for young patients.
Simulations regularly bring together physicians, nurses, lab, radiology, and patient access teams, reinforcing that pediatric readiness is a shared responsibility across the emergency department.
“Every child deserves access to exceptional emergency care when they need it most,” said Ryan Paterson, MD, emergency department chairman at Intermountain Health Saint Joseph Hospital. “Achieving this COPPER certification reflects our commitment to clinical excellence and our investment in ensuring our emergency departments are fully prepared to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and support teams who work every day to provide safe, timely, and compassionate care to the children and families we serve.”
The COPPER designation assures patients, families, and EMS partners that Saint Joseph Hospital and the Northglenn emergency department are prepared to care for children of all ages, from newborns to teens, with specialized equipment, training, and protocols designed to quickly and effectively recognize and treat serious illness or injury.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.
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