Pediatric disaster preparedness of a hospital network in a large metropolitan region.
OBJECTIVE
We describe pediatric-related emergency experiences and responses, disaster preparation and planning, emergency plan execution and evaluation, and hospital pediatric capabilities and vulnerabilities among a disaster response network in a large urban county in the West Coast of the United States.


METHODS
Using semistructured key informant interviews, the authors conducted qualitative research between March and April 2008. Eleven hospitals and a representative from the community clinic association agreed to participate (86 percent response rate) and a total of 22 key informant interviews were completed. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti.v.5.0, a qualitative analytical software program.


RESULTS
Although hospitals have infrastructure to respond in the event of a large-scale disaster, well-established disaster preparedness plans have not fully accounted for the needs of children. The general hospitals do not anticipate a surge of pediatric victims in the event of a disaster, and they expect that children will be transported to a children's hospital as their conditions become stable.


CONCLUSIONS
Even hospitals with well-established disaster preparedness plans have not fully accounted for the needs of children during a disaster. Improved communication between disaster network hospitals is necessary as incorrect information still persists.
Ferrer
Rizaldy R
RR
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Alhambra, California, USA.
Balasuriya
Darshi
D
Iverson
Ellen
E
Upperman
Jeffrey S
JS
D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000458:organization & administration; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research