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Principles of Disaster Planning for the Pediatric Population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Gwenn M. Allen ,
Steven J. Parrillo ,
Jean Will  and
Johnathon A. Mohr
Gwenn M. Allen*
Affiliation:
Director of Science Laboratories and Chemical Hygiene Officer for Academic Programs, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Steven J. Parrillo
Affiliation:
Medical Director, Disaster Medicine and Management Masters Program, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Medical Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Einstein Elkins Park Hospital, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Jean Will
Affiliation:
Program Director, Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Johnathon A. Mohr
Affiliation:
Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
*
Gwenn M. Allen Philadelphia University School of Science and Health School House Lane and Henry Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19144 USA E-mail: alleng@philau.edu
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Extract

Unique physiological, developmental, and psychological attributes of children make them one of the more vulnerable populations during mass-casualty incidents. Because of their distinctive vulnerabilities, it is crucial that pediatric needs are incorporated into every stage of disaster planning. Individuals, families, and communities can help mitigate the effects of disasters on pediatric populations through ongoing awareness and preventive practices. Mitigation efforts also can be achieved through education and training of the healthcare workforce. Preparedness activities include gaining Emergency Medical Services for Children Pediatric Facility Recognition, conducting pediatric disaster drills, improving pediatric surge capacity, and ensuring that the needs children are incorporated into all levels of disaster plans. Pediatric response can be improved in a number of ways, including: (1) enhanced pediatric disaster expertise; (2) altered decontamination protocols that reflect pediatric needs; and (3) minimized parent-child separation. Recovery efforts at the pediatric level include promoting specific mental health therapies for children and incorporating children into disaster relief and recovery efforts. Improving pediatric emergency care needs should be at the forefront of every disaster planner's agenda.

Keywords

disasterpediatric populationpediatricsplanning
Type
Comprehensive Review
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 6 , December 2007 , pp. 537 - 540
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2007

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