Citation

Mortamet G, Lode N, Roumeliotis N, Baudin F, Javouhey E, Dubos F, Naud J. Arch. Dis. Child. 2019; 104(4): 322-327.

Affiliation

Pediatric Transport Team, SMUR Bordeaux, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/archdischild-2017-314658

PMID

29860227

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine paediatric hospital preparedness for a mass casualty disaster involving children in both prehospital and hospital settings. The study findings will serve to generate recommendations, guidelines and training objectives. DESIGN AND SETTING: The AMAVI-PED study is a cross-sectional survey. An electronic questionnaire was sent to French physicians with key roles in specialised paediatric acute care.

RESULTS: In total, 81% (26 of 32) of French University Hospitals were represented in the study. A disaster plan AMAVI with a specific paediatric emphasis was established in all the paediatric centres. In case of a mass casualty event, paediatric victims would be initially admitted to the paediatric emergency department for most centres (n=21; 75%). Paediatric anaesthesiologists, paediatric surgeons and paediatric radiologists were in-house in 20 (71%), 5 (18%) and 12 (43%) centres, respectively. Twenty-three (82%) hospitals had a paediatric specialised mobile intensive care unit and seven (25%) of these could provide a prehospital emergency response. Didactic teaching and simulation exercises were implemented in 20 (71%) and 22 (79%) centres, respectively. Overall, physician participants rated the level of readiness of their hospital as 6 (IQR: 5-7) on a 10-point readiness scale.

CONCLUSION: Paediatric preparedness is very heterogeneous between the centres. Based on the study findings, we suggest that a national programme must be defined and guidelines generated.

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Language: en

Keywords

disaster; emergency; mass casualty event; paediatrics; preparedness; training