A significant study conducted by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has established 'achievable benchmarks of care' (ABCs) for pediatric emergency departments, shifting the focus from average performance metrics to those of high achievers. Published in JAMA Network Open, this research analyzed over 5.3 million visits across nine emergency departments and three affiliated sites over a seven-year period (2017-2024). The benchmarks cover common pediatric emergency issues such as asthma, infections, and pain management, aiming to motivate departments to set realistic yet ambitious performance goals. Lead author Dr. Elizabeth Alpern noted that using average performance fails to inspire progress, and the new benchmarks highlight the gaps between typical and top-performing clinicians. The findings indicate considerable variation in achievable performance, particularly in areas under direct clinician control, while some measures showed little variation, suggesting potential ceiling effects. Moreover, the study found that timeliness and throughput metrics have worsened over time, reflecting external pressures, including those from the COVID-19 pandemic. This work aims to enhance care for children in emergency settings by establishing actionable, best-practice targets.