Surge capacity planning for public health emergency events: Examining the distribution of pediatric resources in relation to pediatric population density in New York City

Introduction

Children are among the most vulnerable in a disaster event, yet their needs have been underrepresented in emergency preparedness planning. In New York City, no valid assessment of hospital pediatric resources has been conducted. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of pediatric resources, such as bed capacity, and surge capacity planning across all NYC boroughs in relation to the pediatric population.

Methods

Electronic surveys were distributed to 26 self-identified NYC Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) hospitals and 38 self-identified non-PICU hospitals. Surveys included questions about pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, pediatric emergency services and pediatric surge capacity planning. NYC pediatric population density estimates were determined using 2005 U.S. Census data. Hospital resources were tabulated and mapped using ArcMap.

Results

Manhattan has 41 PICU beds per 100,000 pediatric population and can surge to 67 beds per 100,000 pediatric population, in comparison to Brooklyn, which has the largest pediatric population, and only 7 PICU beds per 100,000 pediatric population, with surge capacity of 12 beds per 100,000 pediatric population. Only 22 hospitals surveyed (34%) have surge capacity plans that include pediatrics.

Conclusion

Pediatric resources are not distributed homogenously across NYC. Future planning should focus on the development of additional pediatric surge capacity and resource-sharing protocols.