Paediatric consideration in Disaster Response with Dr. Li and Dr. Chung

In this particular episode, Dr. Li and Dr. Chung, two physicians specializing in paediatric emergency medicine, joins us to discuss considerations related to paediatrics during disasters. The conversation emphasises the importance of planning for such events, which includes the involvement of paediatric patients in disaster drills. The discussion also highlights the need for careful planning in regards to reuniting families, with both physicians providing key factors for successful execution. The involvement of EMS and Law Enforcement is also discussed, with the duo offering advice on the transportation of paediatric patients during disaster situations. The episode concludes with a challenging topic, which is planning for the death of a child, and trauma-informed methods for managing the affected families and staff.

Sarita Chung, MD is the Director of Disaster Preparedness in the Division of Emergency Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor of Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Board certified in paediatrics and paediatric emergency medicine, Dr. Chung’s expertise covers all aspects of paediatric emergency preparedness and response, including advocacy, research, education, and clinical care. She previously served on the FEMA National Advisory Council and currently is the Co-Lead for EMSC EIIC Disaster domain as well as the MA EMSC Advisory Council Chair.

Joyce Li, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor in Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She serves as the Regional Liaison for the Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services for Children, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts ACEP Paediatric Committee and Vice Chair of AAP Society of Emergency Medicine Paediatric Readiness Subcommittee. Locally she is the chair of the New England Regional Paediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) Network. She has devoted her career to understanding and helping to fill the gaps in the care of paediatric care in all emergency department (ED) settings. She has both done research on variations and gaps in care of paediatric patients in the community ED setting as well as extensive on the ground work with New England PECCs.

Participation of Children and Adolescents in Live Crisis Drills and Exercises - PubMed (nih.gov)

Supporting the Grieving Child and Family - PubMed (nih.gov)

AAP Reunification Toolkit.pdf

EIICDisasterChecklist_Current081822.pdf (emscimprovement.center)

AAP policies on Children and Disaster: Council on Children and Disasters | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)