Home> Pediatricians Help/Search H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information for Health Care Professionals Information for Pediatricians and Pediatric Health Care Providers The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a variety of materials for pediatricians who wish to become better prepared for a disaster or are interested in getting involved in pediatric disaster medicine. The AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council would like to extend a personal invitation to all pediatricians to join the AAP in its ongoing efforts to ensure children's needs are addressed in all disaster initiatives. Through its efforts, the AAP strives to: Ensure that children's issues are addressed as early as possible in the development of disaster preparedness programs and activities. Involve pediatric experts in all levels of disaster planning and response, from the medical home to national levels. Support AAP Chapters and members to integrate pediatric disaster preparedness issues into state plans. For more information on AAP Initiatives, see Update from the AAP. What Pediatricians Can Do Be able to discuss and share basic information on disasters with families, child advocates, community representatives, and health professionals. Become aware of disasters that might happen in your community or state. Visit the FEMA Web site for more information. Connect with your state or county health department or your local chamber of commerce to support and enhance plans that are already in place in your community or state. Complete a disaster plan for the office using Disaster Preparedness for Pediatric Practices: An Online Tool. This is an interactive Web-based tool that AAP members can use to create and save a written plan for their office practice. Prepare and regularly update a personal and professional disaster plan. See additional emergency/disaster preparedness and resources for pediatric practices within Practice Management Online and Chapter 4 of the PTDPR manual. Provide anticipatory guidance to families with consideration given to the unique problems faced by children with special health care needs. Visit or share the Web page for Families. Become knowledgeable about pediatric disaster management, including chemical-biological, explosive, radiologic, and nuclear events. Help local child care programs and schools develop disaster plans. Visit or share the Web page for Child Care. Take part in local community and hospital disaster planning, exercises, and drills. Join and/or provide guidance to medical volunteer programs such as disaster medical assistance teams, Medical Reserve Corps and other response teams to ensure that they are equipped and trained to care for children. Advocate for the inclusion of the needs of children in all federal, state, and local disaster planning. Become active participants in disaster planning, preparedness, and response. See Chapter 11 of the PTDPR manual. Join the AAP Disaster Preparedness Contact Network to receive quarterly updates on relevant AAP activities, resources, and opportunities. Advocating Effectively for Children While increasing their involvement in disaster preparedness activities, pediatricians will likely connect with individuals who do not have experience with children or have not had training in pediatric medical or mental health needs. Pediatricians can play a key role in promoting readiness for children and families through education and advocacy. The AAP fact sheet, The Youngest Victims: Disaster Preparedness to Meet Children's Needs highlights how children are different from adults and frames this information for those who do not have pediatric knowledge or training. AAP Resources Care of Children in the Emergency Department: Guidelines for Preparedness – A policy statement with information and recommendations related to caring for children in the emergency department; these guidelines include details for how hospitals can have the appropriate equipment, staff, and policies to provide high quality care for children, especially those with special needs and/or those with life-threatening emergencies. Steps for facilitating stabilization and transportation to the nearest facility with pediatric specialty services. Chemical-Biological Terrorism and its Impact on Children – A policy statement with information and recommendations for pediatricians and public health agencies regarding biological and chemical agents and the affects these have on children when they are used in terrorist attacks. Disaster Preparedness for Pediatric Practices: An Online Tool Pediatricians face special concerns during disasters, including the inadequacy of disaster planning in addressing the needs of children (especially those with special needs) and the ongoing need to develop or improve pediatric offices and personal disaster plans. A working plan can help practices reduce risks, maintain practice operations, and ensure a medical home for children in their care. To address this need, the AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council has developed an interactive Web-based tool that provides an easy way for members to review resources and take steps to develop a written disaster preparedness plan for their office practices. Disaster Preparedness Plan for Pediatricians – A pediatrician who practiced in Mississippi during and after Hurricane Katrina prepared this brief yet comprehensive publication. The document focuses on helping practitioners develop a customized personal and professional disaster plan. Actions steps are included to help pediatricians prepare the office, compile necessary medical equipment and supplies, understand communication and transportation issues, and respond to a disaster situation. Guidance is offered on a variety of topics that pediatricians should consider in advance of a disaster such as power and electricity, medical records and data security, insurance, and principles of immediate response. Feelings Need Check-ups Too – A CD-ROM and Toolkit for pediatricians who wish to help children with emotional distress related to 9-11 and other catastrophic events. Flood Recovery – Clinician recommendations and other resources. Health Risks of Wildfires for Children – Resource information prepared by the AAP Committee on Environmental Health and other partner groups after the California Wildfires in fall 2007. Infant Nutrition During a Disaster: Breastfeeding and Other Options A 2-page fact sheet with basic information, actions steps, and an algorithm to guide decision making and support families with infants during a disaster. (AAP) Pandemic Influenza: Warning, Children At Risk – An issue brief by Trust for America's Health and the AAP. Pediatric Disaster Preparedness in the Wake of Katrina: Lessons Learned – Children's needs may require special attention in areas like communication logistics, storing and distributing “the basics” (ie, water, food, blankets, flashlights, shelter), providing medical care in unique or austere settings, handling power outages, triaging children along with adults, working in complement with others, and effectively managing psychological trauma. This article provides examples of how these types of situations were and could be handled. The article includes a comprehensive summary and recommendations that the AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council is considering as part of its strategic planning process. Pediatric Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness: A Resource for Pediatricians – This comprehensive manual serves as a practical resource that pediatricians can consult in planning for and responding to natural disasters and bioterrorist events. A separate summary highlights significant parts of the report for quick reference. Preparation for Emergencies in the Offices of Pediatricians and Pediatric Primary Care Providers – The office of the pediatric primary care provider often serves as the entry site into the overall emergency care system. This AAP policy statement provides detailed information on optimizing office readiness for emergencies while considering the unique aspects of each office practice. Information on office-based assessment, parent and patient education, preparing the office and personnel, emergency equipment and medications, professional skills, handling documentation, working with emergency medical services personnel, and ways to advocate for high quality care at a systems level are addressed in this comprehensive resource. Picking up the Pieces Article in peds Journal – The peds Journal is a physician publication from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The Spring 2008 issue includes an article titled "Picking up the Pieces: What to do in the Occurrence of Life's Disasters" that features a Question and Answer discussion among these physicians: Robert J Geller, MD, FAAP; Gary Q Peck, MD, FAAP; David Satcher, MD, PhD; and Jay E Berkelhamer, MD, FAAP. Click here to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits by reading the articles in the peds Journal. Psychosocial Implications of Disaster: A Guide for Pediatricians – During and after disasters, pediatricians can assist parents and community leaders by accommodating the unique needs of children and by working in partnership with others to reduce the possibility of long-term psychological disorders. This publication describes children's responses to disaster situations, risk factors for adverse reactions, and strategies that can be taken to lessen the effects of disaster on children. Radiation Disasters in Children – An AAP policy statement with information and recommendations for pediatricians. The Pediatrician and Disaster Preparedness – Pediatricians play a central role in disaster and terrorism preparedness with families, children, and their communities. This AAP policy statement describes different issues and scenarios that pediatricians should consider as they manage family concerns about disaster preparedness, prepare their office, and determine ways that they can assist their community to prepare for and respond to a disaster. Information on liability insurance, surveillance and public health monitoring, and hospital preparedness is provided. Global AAP recommendations for all pediatricians are also included. The Pediatrician and Disaster Preparedness Technical Report For more information, please send an e-mail to DisasterReady@aap.org.