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Pediatric-Specific Hazard Vulnerability Analysis: The Missing Component of Regional and Hospital-Based Preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2022; 17:e199. [PMID: 35635217 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Though children comprise a large percentage of the population and are uniquely vulnerable to disasters, pediatric considerations are often omitted from regional and hospital-based emergency preparedness. Children's absence is particularly notable in hazard vulnerability analyses (HVAs), a commonly used tool that allows emergency managers to identify a hazard's impact, probability of occurrence, and previous mitigation efforts. This paper introduces a new pediatric-specific HVA that provides emergency managers with a quantifiable means to determine how a hazard might affect children within a given region, taking into account existing preparedness most relevant to children's safety. Impact and preparedness categories within the pediatric-specific HVA incorporate age-based equipment and care needs, long-term developmental and mental health consequences, and the hospital and community functions most necessary for supporting children during disasters. The HVA allows emergency managers to create a more comprehensive assessment of their pediatric populations and preparatory requirements.
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Gabbe BJ, Veitch W, Mather A, Curtis K, Holland AJA, Gomez D, Civil I, Nathens A, Fitzgerald M, Martin K, Teague WJ, Joseph A. Review of the requirements for effective mass casualty preparedness for trauma systems. A disaster waiting to happen? Br J Anaesth 2021; 128:e158-e167. [PMID: 34863512 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) are diverse, unpredictable, and increasing in frequency, but preparation is possible and necessary. The nature of MCIs requires a trauma response but also requires effective and tested disaster preparedness planning. From an international perspective, the aims of this narrative review are to describe the key components necessary for optimisation of trauma system preparedness for MCIs, whether trauma systems and centres meet these components and areas for improvement of trauma system response. Many of the principles necessary for response to MCIs are embedded in trauma system design and trauma centre function. These include robust communication networks, established triage systems, and capacity to secure centres from threats to safety and quality of care. However, evidence from the current literature indicates the need to strengthen trauma system preparedness for MCIs through greater trauma leader representation at all levels of disaster preparedness planning, enhanced training of staff and simulated disaster training, expanded surge capacity planning, improved staff management and support during the MCI and in the post-disaster recovery phase, clear provision for the treatment of paediatric patients in disaster plans, and diversified and pre-agreed systems for essential supplies and services continuity. Mass casualty preparedness is a complex, iterative process that requires an integrated, multidisciplinary, and tiered approach. Through effective preparedness planning, trauma systems should be well-placed to deliver an optimal response when faced with MCIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J Gabbe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Health Data Research UK, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK.
| | - William Veitch
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anne Mather
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Curtis
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew J A Holland
- Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney School of Medicine, Westmead, Australia
| | - David Gomez
- Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ian Civil
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Avery Nathens
- Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark Fitzgerald
- Department of Surgery, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Trauma Service, The Alfred, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Martin
- Department General Surgical Specialties, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Warwick J Teague
- Trauma Service, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia; Surgical Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony Joseph
- Royal North Shore Hospital Clinical School, School of Medicine, University of Sydney, St Leonards, Australia
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