Creating a pediatric disaster center of excellence - Lessons and tools from one center in the United States

Abstract:

Region V for Kids (originally known as Eastern Great Lakes Consortium for Disaster Response) is one of United States (US) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) funded Pediatric Disaster Centers of Excellence (PCOE), serving nearly 12 million children and families in a six state region of the United States. The original goals set forth were: develop a coordinated pediatric disaster care capability, strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness plans and coordination, enhance state and regional medical pediatric surge capacity, increase healthcare professional educational competency and enhance situational awareness of pediatric disaster care across the spectrum. The COVID-19 pandemic occurred shortly after original funding and caused a pivot from preparation to response for the partners, enhancing the collaboration and coordination for the region. Creating stronger partnerships with federal agencies around situational awareness and considering social and physical determinants of health that affect children and families has been instrumental. The COVID response and the Fall 2022 respiratory surge taught us valuable lessons in this regard. The PCOE has created and disseminated many tools and products, including educational tools, behavioral health training and tools, virtual exercises, and quality improvement projects, with the help of partnerships with state agencies and other key participants. The best practices and ongoing projects highlight how to improve coordinated care for children and families within a region and is an example for beyond the United States. There are also challenges to coordinated preparedness due to jurisdictional barriers and these are as important to highlight and create mitigation strategies. The US supported PCOE are examples of creating regional disaster networks to mitigate and prepare for response concentrating on the needs of children and families in the larger disaster cycle.

Audience Takeaway

• Understand how a regional group focused on children addressed issues within disaster preparedness
• Explore how to create a regional approach to pediatric within the disaster cycle
• Identify one method or tool to be adapted or modified to implement within your healthcare jurisdiction

Biography:

Deanna Dahl Grove, MD, FAAP, is a pediatric emergency physician in the Division of Emergency Medicine at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. She is Professor, Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Dahl Grove is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) and certified in advanced pediatric life support and advanced trauma life support. Her special interest is pediatric disaster medicine. Dr. Dahl Grove has authored and coauthored articles in peer-reviewed pediatric and emergency medicine publications and books. She is serving as disaster dominion co-lead for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center. Dr. Dahl Grove is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) she a member of the executive committee for AAP Committee on Children and Disasters. Dr. Dahl Grove co-PI for ASPR Pediatric Center of Excellence for Region V for Kids, leading the many projects to meet the goals of setting best practices for regional disaster preparedness for children and families (2019- current). She is serving as disaster dominion co-lead for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Innovation and Improvement Center. In addition she is a Hub site PI for the HRSA Pediatric Pandemic Network (2021- current).