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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 October 2024
Asymmetric warfare, conflict and terrorist attacks involving children raise concerns regarding the preparedness to respond to mass casualty incidents involving pediatric patients. The objective of this project was to assess the resources available in the metropolitan Milan area to develop a priority dispatch plan for a mass casualty incident with pediatric patients.
A focused search of the medical literature and clinical guidelines established a minimal standard requirements of care of pediatric patients involved in an MCI to determine the surge capabilities in terms of number of patients and severity of injuries for each study hospital in the metropolitan Milan area.
The hospitals that took part in the study were either adult trauma centers or pediatric hospitals in the metropolitan Milan area. The overall surge capability identified was of 40-44 pediatric patients involved in an MCI involving pediatric patients, distributed based on age and severity and based on the hospital resources and expertise.
The findings from the metropolitan Milan area shows the basis for non-Pediatric Trauma Center adult and pediatric hospitals to work in synergy to develop MCI response plans involving pediatric patients. Simulations exercises will need to be carried out to evaluate and validate the plans.