Pediatric Trauma and Disaster

This online course addresses specific topics in pediatric trauma care, hospital disaster preparedness, and response for incidents involving children. The course provides an overview of early hospital responder care for pediatric trauma and disasters with an emphasis on hazards and response capabilities. The curriculum covers emergency department preparedness for receiving multiple pediatric patients, and conducting an acute assessment, diagnosis and stabilization of the severely injured child. Examples and lessons learned from responding to pediatric injuries resulting from the 2011 Alabama tornado outbreak are discussed. The course incorporates recommendations and guidelines published by several organizations including the American College of Surgeons (ATLS), the American Heart Association (PALS), the American College of Emergency Physicians (APLS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (PALS, APLS), and the American Medical Association (ADLS). The curriculum is developed by pediatric emergency physicians at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama with assistance from content experts from the Alabama Poison Center and the Alabama Department of Public Health.