Public Health Emergency Preparedness
This resource was part of AHRQ's Public Health Emergency Preparedness program, which was discontinued on June 30, 2011, in a realignment of Federal efforts.
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Table 11.1. Environmental Constraints to Pediatric Medical Care After Large-scale Natural Disasters
Physical constraint |
Consequences/examples |
Temperature/exposure |
Heat
Cold
Overexposure to the sun
Dehydration |
Lack of clean water |
Dehydration
Poor hygiene
Inability to comply with wound care instructions
Potential for gastrointestinal (GI) complications |
Lack of food |
Inadequate nutrition
Inappropriate diet
Potential for GI complications |
Lack of electricity |
Inability to use non-battery-powered medical devices such as nebulizers, pumps, ventilators
Inability to maintain medications at appropriate temperatures
Difficulty maintaining safe thermal environment
Inadequate light/ventilation as a safety hazard
Difficulty receiving critical information about medical care and available medical and non-medical assistance |
Hazardous environments |
Chemicals
Physical hazards (e.g., nails, tree limbs, debris, roofs, unregulated traffic intersections)
Tools (e.g., chainsaws)
Weapons
Animals or insects
Allergens/plants (e.g., poison ivy) |
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