Citation

Timm N, Reeves S. Disaster Manage. Response 2007; 5(2): 49-55.

Affiliation

Emergency Preparedness Committee, and Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. Nathan.timm@cchmc.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.dmr.2007.02.001

PMID

17517363

Abstract

Mass casualty incidents involving contaminated children are a rare but ever-present possibility. In this article we outline one such event that resulted in 53 pediatric patients and 3 adults presenting to the emergency department of a children's hospital for decontamination and treatment. We pay special attention to the training that allowed this responses to occur. We also outline the institutional response with emphasis on incident command, communication, and resource utilization. Specific lessons learned are explored in detail. Finally, we set forth a series of recommendations to assist other institutions should they be called upon to care for and decontaminate pediatric patients.

Language: en