Citation

Branson RD. Respir. Care 2011; 56(9): 1457-1465.

Affiliation

Division of Trauma and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Association for Respiratory Therapy, Publisher Daedalus Enterprises)

DOI

10.4187/respcare.01405

PMID

21944691

Abstract

Natural and man-made disasters are inevitable and appear to be more common in the current age. Substantial time and effort have been invested and millions of dollars spent on disaster prevention and management. An important oversight in this planning has been the special needs of children. The vulnerability of children and their physiologic characteristics place them at increased risk during a disaster. Importantly, reunification with family and assurance of safety in this vulnerable group is a priority. This paper addresses issues related to pediatric needs, the medical system's shortcomings in caring for children, and recommendations for action.

Language: en