Pediatric nurse practitioners' role in disasters involving children.

摘要

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) acknowledges the central role of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) in disaster preparedness to be the provision of guidance and care before, during, and after local, national, and global disasters that affect children and families. Because children depend on adults for basic care needs, critical decision making, physical safety, and medical care, they are more vulnerable during chemical, biological, environmental, and radiological disasters. Children have the additional psychological need to be reunited with parents or care-givers if they have been separated during a disaster. PNPs are particularly prepared to address the needs of this population. Groups who are especially vulnerable include pregnant women, infants "who are breastfeeding, children in day care and school settings, and children with special needs. Acute psychological first aid and ongoing attention to the mental health needs of children must be provided through assessment, crisis intervention, promotion of resilience, and referral to mental health providers when indicated (Everly & Flynn, 2006).