The 2011 Tuscaloosa Tornado: Integration of Pediatric Disaster Services Into Regional Systems of Care

• 2012

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• Robert Kanter
PMID: 22444565DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.02.016

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This article describes how pediatric disaster services were integrated into regional care systems after the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado. With no local pediatric emergency department, a single hospital treated over 100 children, including more than 20 with critical injuries. Nonpediatric staff managed resuscitation and transport to a children's hospital an hour away. No preventable adverse events occurred during these phases of care. Adequate supplies and equipment were available for the victims' needs. The study highlights the importance of preparation, timely response to warnings, identifying unaccompanied children, and improving child safety in shelters for successful disaster response integration.

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Tags

Focus Area: Severe Weather

Audiences: Emergency Managers; EMS Clinicians; Nurses; Physicians

Emergency Management Stage: Response

Collection: Disaster Research Literature Review

Keywords: Alabama; Child Health Services; Communication; Disaster Planning; Disasters; Emergency Medical Services; Hospitals, Pediatric; Patient Transfer; Pediatrics; Regional Medical Programs; Tornadoes; Triage; Cell Phone

Institutions: State University of New York - Upstate Medical University

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