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Members of an emergency department (ED) staff need to be prepared for mass casualty incidents (MCIs) at all times. Didactic sessions, drills, and functional exercises have shown to be effective, but it is challenging to find time and resources for appropriate training. We conducted brief, task-specific drills (deemed “disaster huddles”) in a pediatric ED (PED) to examine if such an approach could be an alternative or supplement to traditional MCI training paradigms. Over the course of the study, we observed an improving trend in the overall score for administrative disaster preparedness. Disaster huddles may be an effective way to improve administrative disaster preparedness in the PED. Low-effort, low-time commitment education could be an attractive way for further disaster preparedness efforts. Further studies are indicated to show a potential impact on lasting behavior and patient outcomes.

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) cause disproportionate childhood morbidity and mortality. Ensuring that children are placed in appropriate child restraint devices (CRDs) would significantly reduce injuries and deaths as well as medical costs. The goal of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of providing child restraint devices after an MVC in a pediatric emergency department (PED).A guideline was developed to assess the need for CRDs for patients discharged from a PED after an MVC. Providers were educated on the use of the guideline. Caregivers were provided a brief educational intervention on legislation, proper installation, and best practices prior to distribution of a CRD. Quality assurance was conducted weekly to monitor for any missed opportunities.From August 31, 2015, to August 31, 2016, 291 patients7 years were evaluated in the PED of a level 1 trauma center following an MVC. Two hundred forty-seven children were correctly identified according to the guidelines (84.9%). Of these, 187 (75.7%) were identified as not requiring a replacement seat and 60 (24.3%) required a CRD replacement based on crash mechanisms and restraint use status and received a CRD replacement. Of the remaining 44 children, 38 (86.4%) whose crash mechanisms were severe enough or who were inappropriately restrained were not provided a CRD and thus missed; 6 (13.6%) received a replacement seat even though criteria were not met. Thus, PED providers correctly identified 61.2% (60/98) of children who required CRD replacement after an MVC.Caring for children who present for evaluation after an MVC offers an opportunity for ED personnel to provide education to caregivers about the appropriate use of CRDs and state legislation. Establishing guidelines for the provision of a CRD for children who present to an ED following an MVC may help to improve the safety of children being transported in motor vehicles. Having a systematic process and adequate supply of CRDs readily available contributes to the success of children being discharged with the appropriate age- and weight-based CRD after being treated in an ED following an MVC.