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Pediatric disaster preparedness of a hospital network in a large metropolitan region

Rizaldy R Ferrer1, Darshi Balasuriya, Ellen Iverson

  • 1California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Alhambra, California, USA.

American Journal of Disaster Medicine
|March 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Disaster plans in urban hospitals inadequately address pediatric needs, despite existing infrastructure. Improved communication is crucial for effective pediatric emergency response during large-scale disasters.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health Preparedness
  • Pediatric Disaster Response

Background:

  • Urban disaster response networks require robust planning for all patient populations.
  • Existing hospital disaster preparedness plans often overlook specific pediatric needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pediatric emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and vulnerabilities within a West Coast urban disaster network.
  • To identify gaps in disaster planning concerning pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative research utilizing semistructured key informant interviews.
  • Interviews conducted with 22 key informants from 11 hospitals and a community clinic association.
  • Data analysis performed using ATLAS.ti qualitative software.

Main Results:

  • Hospitals possess infrastructure for disaster response but lack comprehensive pediatric-specific disaster plans.
  • General hospitals do not anticipate a surge in pediatric victims and expect their transfer to children's hospitals.
  • Existing plans fail to fully integrate the unique requirements of pediatric patients during emergencies.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric needs remain inadequately addressed in disaster preparedness plans, even in well-equipped hospitals.
  • Enhanced inter-hospital communication is essential to overcome persistent misinformation and improve coordinated response.
Abstract

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