Planning for a pediatric disaster -- experience gained from caring for 1600 Vietnamese orphans

Area of Science:

• Disaster Medicine
• Pediatric Care
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Vietnam War's end led to the unexpected arrival of 1600 Vietnamese orphans in San Francisco.
• Existing disaster plans primarily focused on adult populations, lacking provisions for mass pediatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a coordinated disaster response plan for a large influx of Vietnamese orphans.
• To highlight the unique challenges and necessary adaptations for pediatric disaster management.

Main Methods:

• Rapid establishment of a 1000-bed pediatric field hospital.
• Implementation of a "warehouse" model for infant care due to insufficient conventional nursery resources.
• Mobilization of extensive medical and volunteer personnel, including 800 physicians and 1400 nurses.

Main Results:

• Successful medical triage, provision of ongoing care, and nurturing services for 1600 orphans.
• Development of specialized transportation and communication systems.
• Utilization of 162 back-up acute hospital beds.

Conclusions:

• The "warehouse" model proved effective for managing large numbers of infants in a disaster scenario.
• Current disaster planning in major cities needs re-evaluation to specifically address the unique needs of children.
• Emphasizes the critical importance of adaptable and child-centric disaster preparedness strategies.