Pediatric Surge Pocket Guide: Review of an easily accessible tool for managing an influx of pediatric patients

Authors

  • Ann C. Lin, BS
  • Rita V. Burke, PhD, MPH
  • Sadina Reynaldo, PhD
  • Bridget M. Berg, MPH
  • Jeffrey S. Upperman, MD, FAAP, FACS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2013.0113

Keywords:

pediatric, hospital surge, disaster

Abstract

As seen in recent disasters, large-scale crisis events have the potential to cause significant pediatric death and injury. During such disaster situations, both distance and decreased mobility will likely limit access to pediatric hospitals. Thus, all hospitals, regardless if they regularly treat children or not, should anticipate an influx of pediatric patients in the event of a disaster. The Pediatric Surge Pocket Guide was developed for and distributed at a Pediatric Medical Surge Workshop held by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in June 2009. Designed both as a supplement to the workshop training and as an effective stand-alone resource, the Guide provides comprehensive pediatric-specific recommendations for hospitals experiencing a surge in pediatric capacity. Because of its unique pocket-size format, the Guide has the potential to be a readily accessible tool with application to a wide range of disaster or nondisaster situations, for use in hospital or nonhospital settings, and by pediatric specialists, nonspecialists, and nonclinicians alike.

Author Biographies

Ann C. Lin, BS

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Rita V. Burke, PhD, MPH

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Sadina Reynaldo, PhD

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Acute Communicable Disease Control, Los Angeles, California.

Bridget M. Berg, MPH

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Jeffrey S. Upperman, MD, FAAP, FACS

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

References

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Hohenhaus SM: Practical considerations for providing pediatric care in a mass casualty incident. Nurs Clin North Am. 2005; 40(3): 523-533, ix.

Markenson D, Redlener I: Pediatric terrorism preparedness national guidelines and recommendations: Findings of an evidencedbased consensus process. Biosecur Bioterror. 2004; 2(4): 301-319.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Pediatric Disaster Toolkit: Hospital Guidelines for Pediatrics in Disasters. New York City, NY: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2006.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Pediatric Hospital Surge Capacity in Public Health Emergencies. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2009.

Emergency Medical Services Authority: EMSC Pediatric Disaster Preparedness Guidelines: Hospitals. Sacramento, CA: Emergency Medical Services Authority, 2010.

Public Health – Seattle & King County: Hospital Guidelines for Management of Pediatric Patients in Disasters. Seattle,WA: Public Health – Seattle & King County, 2010.

Published

01/01/2013

How to Cite

Lin, BS, A. C., R. V. Burke, PhD, MPH, S. Reynaldo, PhD, B. M. Berg, MPH, and J. S. Upperman, MD, FAAP, FACS. “Pediatric Surge Pocket Guide: Review of an Easily Accessible Tool for Managing an Influx of Pediatric Patients”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 8, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 75-82, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2013.0113.

Issue

Section

Ideas and Innovations

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