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PEDIATRIC DISASTER/MULTICASUALTY
PREPAREDNESS
Children are not small adults. They have special needs based on their
physiologic, anatomic, developmental and cognitive attributes, all of which put
them at increased risk during a disaster or multicasualty event. This webpage
provides information on pediatric disaster preparedness and contains links to a
variety of related resources.
WHY THE NEED FOR
PEDIATRIC DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Children are not small adults. They have special needs based on their
physiologic, anatomic, developmental and cognitive attributes, all of which put
them at increased risk during a disaster or terrorist event. Some of their
unique vulnerabilities in a disaster event include:
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Developmental and cognitive levels may impede their ability to escape
danger;
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Age and cognitive development may not be sufficiently developed to convey
medical history or other pertinent information if they become separated from
their parents;
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Weight appropriate medications as well as appropriately sized equipment and
supplies are essential in order to effectively treat children;
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Children with chronic conditions and special health-care needs are
particularly at risk if their survival depends upon medications or medical
technology, i.e. ventilators;
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Less blood and fluid reserves increases their risk for dehydration and
shock;
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Higher respiratory rates puts children at risk for greater exposure to
aerosolized agents;
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More permeable skin and larger skin surface to mass ratio increases their
exposure risk to some biological and chemical agents; this also increases
their risk for hypothermia;
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Increased vulnerability to radiation exposure requires a more vigorous
medical response than adults.
ILLINOIS AND PEDIATRIC
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Currently there are more than 3 million children and adolescents age 17 years
and younger in Illinois, and 900,000 of those children are age 5 or younger.
Children are a growing part of our population as evidenced by the following:
the percent of Illinois children younger than the age of 18 years increased 10
percent between the last two census years (1990-2000).
Illinois has a strong commitment to the children in our state, and to assuring
preparedness and planning efforts are in place to meet the needs of children in
a disaster or terrorism event. In May 2000, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF)
was created with the primary responsibility to ensure statewide preparedness in
the event of a terrorist event. This task force established several
subcommittees and workgroups to assist in meeting this responsibility.
In
2002 the ITTF Pediatric Bioterrorism Workgroup was created. This group is
responsible for identifying best practices and developing resources to assist in
assuring that the special needs of children are addressed during a disaster or
terrorist event. This pediatric workgroup is comprised of volunteer physicians,
nurses, paramedics, pharmacologists, psychologists, state/local health
department personnel as well as representatives from key organizations, such as
the American Red Cross, Illinois Association of School Nurses, Illinois Chapter
of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois College of Emergency Physicians,
Illinois Hospital Association, Illinois State Council of the Emergency Nurses
Association, Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team, Illinois Nurse Volunteer
Emergency Needs Team and Illinois Poison Center, among others. Illinois
Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) is responsible for chairing and
coordinating the activities of the ITTF Pediatric Bioterrorism Workgroup.
Funding through the federal Hospital Preparedness grant program has helped
support the activities of the Pediatric Bioterrorism workgroup and to fund EMSC
positions.
Click here to view the activities to date of this workgroup.
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To
view the 2007 meeting schedule of the Pediatric Bioterrorism Workgroup
click here.
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HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS FOR CHILDREN
Since
1994, Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) has worked to
ensure that health care providers and health care facilities are prepared to
meet the emergency care needs of children. Beginning in 1998, the Illinois
Department of Public Health initiated a Pediatric Facility Recognition program
to formally recognize hospitals for their Emergency Department pediatric
preparedness. This program requires hospitals to comply with defined pediatric
standards and undergo a site visit every 3-4 years. In 2002, the Pediatric
Facility Recognition program expanded to include Pediatric Critical Care
preparedness in hospitals with pediatric intensive care and other pediatric
specialty capabilities. For a list of hospitals that participate in this
program, click here.
In
2004, IDPH/EMSC added another component to the Pediatric Facility Recognition
program and began to review hospital disaster plans during the site visits.
This provides an opportunity during the site survey process to identify any
areas of need and offer recommendations on incorporating children into hospital
disaster plans. These hospital disaster plan reviews, which have been conducted
throughout the state, have been highly assistive in identifying a number of
common areas of need that include:
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Decontamination process for infants/small children
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Pediatric surge capacity
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Identification process for unaccompanied children
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Development of a designated holding area for children pending
discharge/reunification
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Reunification process for children with their parents/designated caretakers
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Addressing the needs of Children with Special Health Care Needs
Pediatric Facility Recognition is an initial step in being better prepared for
disaster, terrorist and multicasualty events that involve children.
Click here for
a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Pediatric Preparedness
within the hospital setting.
ILLINOIS MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (IMERT) PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY TEAM
In
2006 IMERT identified the need to have a more coordinated and specialized
approach to children during a disaster. At that time they took the steps to
develop a Pediatric Specialty Team. Recruitment for members to join this newly
formed team are currently underway. All interested pediatricians, pediatric
emergency physicians, pediatric nurse practitioners, pediatric nurses, and
prehospital healthcare personnel with expertise in pediatrics are encouraged to
consider joining this team. To access more information regarding the Pediatric
Specialty Team, go to the IMERT
website.
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
The
term “Pandemic” is used to describe a disease that affects people on a world
wide scale. Pandemic Influenza occurs when a new (novel) strain of influenza in
humans begins to spread easily from person to person causing widespread serious
illness. Recent public fear caused by the Avian Influenza (bird flu) has
emerged. While there is no pandemic influenza currently present, most experts
agree that the question is not if, but when, another pandemic will occur.
The
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has developed a State Pandemic Flu
Response Plan that can be accessed at
http://www.idph.state.il.us/pandemic_flu/index.htm.
This website contains extensive information and action plans for various
segments of society (individuals; families; businesses; schools; health
entities; faith-based organizations; governmental agencies). Illinois EMSC has
actively participated in the development of this plan.
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
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Currently disaster preparedness is addressed in many healthcare publications by
a variety of healthcare providers who actively promote pediatric preparedness
activities. This link features journal articles pertinent to pediatric disaster
preparedness.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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This
link provides access to materials which enhance continuing education of
emergency medical personnel and offer tools to facilitate pediatric preparedness
at all levels of planning/preparation.
WEB LINKS/RESOURCES
This
link connects you to a large number of other available disaster related
resources.
RELATED ACTIVITIES/EVENTS
This
link provides a schedule of upcoming educational activities/venues.
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