Improving Emergency Preparedness among Children with Special Health Care Needs in a Pediatric Infant Disease Clinic

Abstract

Introduction:Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCNs) are at an increased risk for physical, developmental, or emotional conditions, and require special services beyond what is typically required by children. Improving emergency preparedness amongst families with CSHCNs has been advocated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).Aim:We evaluated the preparedness of children and family members, who are infected, or affected, by HIV illness and require daily medications.Methods:A convenience sample was used to enroll patients and their parents at a pediatric infectious disease clinic. Surveys were used to assess baseline emergency preparedness. Patients were then given an educational intervention on improving personal preparedness. Participants were provided with emergency go-kit and educational materials. Follow up was completed in 30 days to re-assess preparedness by re-administering the initial survey with additional questions.Results:Thirty-eight patients were enrolled and 10 were lost to follow up. Data from a total of 28 patients were used for study results analyses. Chi-squared testing was used for non-parametric variable analyses for an N < 30. Participants who designated an emergency meeting place outside of their home, post-intervention, were statistically significant-X2 (1) = 29.20, p-value <0.0001. Participants who completed an emergency information form, post-intervention, were statistically significant-X2 (1) = 13.69, p-value <0.0002. Participants who obtained an emergency kit of supplies for 3 days, post-intervention, were statistically significant-X2(1) = 8.92, p-value <0.0028. Participants who obtained a home first aid kit, post-intervention, were statistically significant-X2(1) = 12.16, p-value <0.0005. Five families obtained an emergency supply of medications, post-intervention-X2 (1) = 1.99, p-value = 0.1582. This result was not statistically significant.Discussion:This study demonstrates that brief educational intervention has potential to improve the preparedness of CSHCNs, including those living with HIV illness.