Course Disaster Response Collaborative Focus Area: Pediatric Surge Capacity

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  About the Content

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    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.

    Pediatric Surge Capacity

    Surge planning refers to the systematic process of preparing healthcare facilities and systems to effectively manage and respond to a sudden increase in the number of patients requiring medical care during emergencies or disasters. Focusing on the unique needs of pediatrics related to surge requires a detailed view from the lens of this patient population and their families when considering staffing, stuff, space, and systems strategies.  This planning involves assessing existing resources, developing plans for expanding pediatric healthcare capacity, training healthcare staff to care for children in emergency situations, coordinating with external agencies and organizations, and establishing protocols for triage, treatment, and patient transportation. The goal of pediatric surge planning is to ensure that healthcare systems can maintain quality care for children even under extreme circumstances, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality among pediatric populations during crises. The videos in this course guide a viewer on considerations for Pediatric Surge Capacity when exercising these plans.

  • Select activity About the Content

    Explore the Other Focus Areas, View Session Recordings

    Focus Area Option: Triage, Infection Control, and Decontamination

    Focus Area Option: Pediatric Patient Tracking and Family Reunification

    Focus Area Option: Pediatric Evacuation
• Select section Introductions, Patient Flow, and Level Setting

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  Introductions, Patient Flow, and Level Setting

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Foster a collaborative learning environment by building connections among participants.
    2. Examine common challenges in pediatric surge capacity planning and explore potential solutions.
    3. Establish clear next steps and collaborative priorities to ensure continued progress in pediatric surge capacity planning.
• Select section Activation and Communication in a Pediatric Surge Plan

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  Activation and Communication in a Pediatric Surge Plan

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Understand the criticality of the first 30 minutes of a surge event.
    2. Incorporate the components of activation and communication in a Surge Capacity disaster plan.
    3. Discuss the activation procedures in your organization’s current disaster plan.
• Select section Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)

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  Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Identify the three key features of the Hospital Incident Command System.
    2. Identify the role of pediatric positions in the Incident Management Team.
    3. Identify the potential positions in HICS for Pediatric Physicians.
• Select section Incorporating External Partners Into Surge Planning

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  Incorporating External Partners Into Surge Planning

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Understand the diversity of external partners necessary for a successful community response to a pediatric surge.
    2. Learn ways to integrate and coordinate your individual facility response with the broader healthcare community.
    3. Understand how to develop and continue to foster relationships with external partners.
• Select section Planning for Staff During Surge Events

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  Planning for Staff During Surge Events

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Understand how various events can affect staff shortages.
    2. Review various strategies to increase the capacity and capability of current staff.
    3. Discuss planning for the repurpose and management of alternative staff; i.e. non-clinical staff, volunteer staff.
• Select section Strategies For Surge Capacity Across Various Hospital Units

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  Strategies For Surge Capacity Across Various Hospital Units

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Understand the importance of incorporating all hospital departments and units into your surge disaster plans.
    2. Learn strategies for addressing surge in various areas of your hospital, including radiology and operating units.
    3. Apply the Surgery & Perioperative Unit Disaster (SPUD) Framework for your hospital and/or healthcare system.
• Select section Strategies for Disaster Preparedness Throughout the Hospital

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  Strategies for Disaster Preparedness Throughout the Hospital

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Understand key issues in the management of pediatric supplies and medication use during times of resource scarcity within a hospital. Apply these strategies to a mass casualty including preparedness and quick attainment of these resources.
    2. Use collaborative situations to build community and regional knowledge and relationships to strengthen gaps in pediatric resources, and reduce waste and redundancies.
    3. Integrate the preparedness into hospital based plans for MCIs with scarce pediatric medications and supplies.
• Select section Planning for Staff Resiliency During and After a Disaster

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  Planning for Staff Resiliency During and After a Disaster

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Describe the unique stressors and risk factors affecting staff wellness in pediatric hospital disasters.
    2. Identify individual, team-based, and organizational strategies that promote resilience and psychological safety for healthcare staff during and after pediatric disasters.
    3. Develop an actionable framework for integrating staff wellness practices into pediatric hospital disaster preparedness and community response plans, including immediate response and long-term recovery phases.
• Select section Strengthening Surge Capacity: Integration, Exercises, and Sustainable Collaboration

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  Strengthening Surge Capacity: Integration, Exercises, and Sustainable Collaboration

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    Learning Objectives

    1. Identify the relationships between surge capacity planning and other areas of disaster planning, including decontamination and family reunification.
    2. Discuss strategies, lessons learned, and barriers associated with using tabletop exercises and drills to enhance preparedness and responses capabilities during surge events.
    3. Define concrete next steps to sustain surge capacity planning and collaboration beyond the DRC, including identifying responsible roles, needed resources, leadership engagement strategies, and opportunities for continued community collaboration.