Pediatric disaster preparedness in the medical setting: Integrating mental health

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of disasters worldwide highlights the need for established and universal disaster preparedness plans.The devastating events of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina have spurred the development of some disaster response systems. These systems, however, are predominantly focused on medical needs and largely overlook mental health considerations. Negative outcomes of disasters include physical damage as well as psychological harm. Mental health needs should be considered throughout the entire disaster response process, especially when caring for children, adolescents, and their families.Objective: To provide an overview and recommendations for the integration of mental health considerations into pediatric disaster preparedness and response in the medical setting.Methods: Recommendations were developed by a panel of disaster preparedness and mental health experts during the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Disaster Resource and Training Center: Workshop on Family Reunification in Los Angeles, California, March 31-April 1, 2008. Experts discussed the inclusion of mental health-specific considerations and services at all stages of disaster preparedness and response. Recommendations involve the integration of mental health into triage and tracking, the adoption of a child ambassador model, environment, and developmentally appropriate interventions, education, communication, death notification, and family reunification.Conclusions: The inclusion of mental health concerns into pediatric disaster preparedness may help prevent further and unnecessary psychological harm to children and adolescent survivors following a disaster.

Efficacy of Computer-Based Simulation as a Modality for Learning Pediatric Disaster Triage for Pediatric Emergency Nurses

“…Children are particularly vulnerable in disasters, as they have a range of psychological and physical reactions to trauma and disaster situations that are more subtle compared with older victims. [3][4][5] Pediatric disaster victims are challenging for hospital personnel, who may be unfamiliar with the care of the pediatric patient 5,6 and with pediatric disaster triage (PDT). The use of PDT tools and formal training of all HPs who may be involved in resource allocation decisions therefore becomes crucial.…”

“…This ultimately eliminates the need for an instructor. 17 Screen-based simulation eliminates interprofessional training barriers as it is highly replicable, has a relatively low cost of implementation, 13 allows for a standardized collection of performance data and offers scalability, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]18 and is preferred since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic as it promotes social distanciation. 19 Previous investigators suggested the use of serious games, a type of SBS, to recalibrate physician heuristics by reducing physicians' undertriage [20][21][22][23] in the context of MCIs.…”

“…This ultimately eliminates the need for an instructor 17 . Screen-based simulation eliminates interprofessional training barriers as it is highly replicable, has a relatively low cost of implementation, 13 allows for a standardized collection of performance data and offers scalability, 1–9,18 and is preferred since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic as it promotes social distanciation 19 …”