State of In-hospital Disaster Protection at Children's Hospitals in Germany

Catastrophic situations demand a heigh preparedness from hospitals. In Germany, all hospitals are required to maintain an emergency and response plan for such situations. However, these plans are often insufficient. The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief has published a guide that covers most eventualities. Children's hospitals in Germany are often integrated into larger hospitals. However they often don´t have specialized emergency and response plans. Pediatric patients have different requirements and need different care compared to adults. This study investigates whether children's hospitals in Germany have specific emergency and response plans for children. Based on the findings, recommendations will be developed on how children's hospitals can become more resilient.