Abstract

JIMENEZ R, Hassel Jimmy. Disasters: a pediatric viewpoint. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2005, vol.32, n.1, pp.44-48. ISSN 1683-9803.

Disasters are catastrophic events that overwhelm a community’s emergency response capacity, threatening public health and the environment. The fire at the Ycua Bolaños supermarket and those at important hospitals such as the Hospital San Pablo, Acosta Ñu and Instituto de Prevision Social have tested the sector’s response capacity, as well as questioned the safety of health institutions. This review proposes a pediatric viewpoint of the sorts of actions to be taken in pediatrics in case of disasters. Difficulties in the care of children during theses situations have been documented in all stages of response, including the prehospital stage, triage, during transport, arrival at the hospital, the mobilization of experienced personnel and the availability of adequate equipment. This paper analyzes the pediatric coordination during these events, emergency equipment, training of participating personnel and care of children at the site of disaster, triage, transport and treatment. The responsibility of pediatricians in the planning, response and recovery of affected patients is also discussed. This work concludes that public health institutions, scientific organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations working in children’s well-being must all plan responsibly for the specific care of children in the event of disasters.