Pediatric-Specific Hazard Vulnerability Analysis: The Missing Component of Regional and Hospital-Based Preparedness

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.

Crush Syndrome of Children in Kahramanmaraş Earthquake: A Single Center Experience in Malatya

“… 13 Paediatric issues are often overlooked in prehospital and hospital emergency preparedness plans. 1 The main purpose of highlighting this issue is to demonstrate the difficulties encountered in providing all-inclusive assistance during large-scale disasters and to emphasize the importance of effective coordination and resource allocation in such situations.…”

“…Disasters, whether natural or man-made, cause massive human, economic, and environmental losses and have a major impact on the functioning of society. 1 The most vulnerable groups are pregnant women and children in such periods. As parents are more physically and emotionally affected by their responsibilities, both mortality and morbidity are directly affected in this group.…”

“… 3 It has been shown that 43% of patients injured during natural disasters are minors, and 28 million children worldwide—or 1 in every 80—were displaced due to such events in 2016. 1 …”

What If Nice Terrorist Attack Would Have Happened in Milan? Drawing a Disaster Plan for Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Pediatric Population

“…The pediatric population has been identified as particularly vulnerable during mass casualty incidents (MCIs); however, it was often neglected in MCI response preparedness: in fact, MCI response plans often lack scenarios with pediatric patients. 1 The concern regarding the management of pediatric patients during MCIs became particularly relevant after terrorist attacks in Europe targeting crowds [2][3][4][5] and especially after the Bastille Day attack in Nice in 2016 when 54 children were severely injured and 10 were killed. 6 Due to the current lack in the metropolitan area of Milan (Italy) of a structured response plan in the event of an MCI resulting in injured pediatric patients, a team of experts in major trauma and pediatric care decided to meet and discuss the preparedness of the hospitals in the area to respond to these types of MCIs.…”

A Pediatric-Focused Self-Assessment Tool on Vulnerabilities to Aid Regional Disaster Planning

“…There is a pressing need for tools to help identify pediatric health care vulnerabilities before disasters and other emergencies to enhance readiness and ensure that their needs are better addressed when a crisis occurs. 6 To advance this goal, Region V for Kids identified key domains (eg, infrastructures and support mechanisms) that can help regional health care coalitions and other stakeholders better prepare for disasters and meet the needs of vulnerable children and families during disasters and other emergencies. It is hoped that the creation and distribution of this tool will raise regional awareness about children's and families' needs both on a day-to-day basis and when emergencies occur.…”