Needs Assessment: Are Disaster Medical Assistance Teams Up for the Challenge of a Pediatric Disaster?

• 2007

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• Sharon Mace; Andrew Bern
PMID: 17870478DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2006.12.011

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This article discusses how Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) may not be ready to handle pediatric disasters. Children are often victims in disasters and need special care, but they are frequently overlooked. The study found that many DMATs lack training and equipment for treating children. Important topics like airway management, trauma care, and mental health were missing from their training programs. Also, necessary pediatric equipment was often unavailable during emergencies. Only a third of the teams had specific protocols for children beyond basic ones like JumpSTART. The study highlights the need to improve DMATs' readiness for helping kids in disasters.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Natural Disasters; Trauma; Violence

Audiences: Emergency Managers; EMS Clinicians

Emergency Management Stage: Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Bundles: Disaster Research Literature Review

Keywords: Child; Clinical Competence; Disaster Planning; Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Medicine; Health Services Needs and Demand; Pediatrics; Health Care Surveys; Needs Assessment

Institutions: Cleveland Clinic

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