The focus area session recordings supplement the Pediatric Disaster Response Playback Series based on the Disaster Response Collaborative. Disaster planning and response prioritizes select domains in the Checklist of Essential Pediatric Considerations for Every Hospital’s Disaster Policies (known as the EIIC Disaster Checklist). Having plans and protocols for evacuation, pediatric surge capacity, pediatric patient tracking and family reunification, and triage/infection control/decontamination is most effective in increasing readiness to respond to disasters impacting children.
Triage/Infection Control/Decontamination
This topic area includes three distinct but related pediatric disaster strategies.
Triage: Effective triage is utilized both in the prehospital setting during primary triage and in the hospital during secondary triage. See JUMPStart, a Pediatric Triage Algorithm.
Infection Control: Approaches provide a framework for preventing transmission of infectious agents, including any “special pathogens” considered to be highly transmissible and capable of causing severe disease. Hospital personnel must be prepared to quickly identify patients possibly infected with a special pathogen, isolate the patient to minimize transmission, and inform key clinical, infection prevention, and public health stakeholders.
Decontamination: Rapid, life-saving, clinical care for patients with chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) exposures is essential. Hospital emergency departments need plans for timely, successful decontamination of pediatric patients. Effective decontamination also reduces the risk of secondary contamination of other patients and hospital staff.
