Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emergency care in a private hospital.

Introduction: in order to limit the contagion of COVID-19, home confinement and the application of sanitary measures were necessary, which had an effect in the emergency services. Objective(s): to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the frequency of patient care in a pediatric emergency department. Material(s) and Method(s): retrospective study in a private hospital in Mexico, in which two periods were analyzed: pre-pandemic (2019-2020) and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). In these two periods, the frequency of emergency medical consultations provided to children and adolescents was compared. The information is broken down by month and by type of illness: infectious, noninfectious, and due to accidents. Result(s): in the pre-pandemic period, 5,905 consultations were provided, and 2,384 during the pandemic (59.6% reduction), without differences with respect to age group and sex. When analyzing according to the month, it was observed that, compared to December 2019, in December 2020 there was the greatest reduction (70% decrease). Consultations for infectious causes were reduced by 74.4%, non-infectious ones by 25.3%, and accidents by 51.4%. Consultations for real urgency decreased by 64.5%, while felt urgency decreased by 55.2%. Conclusion(s): COVID-19 pandemic decreased emergency care consultations for pediatric patients, particularly due to infectious diseases.Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Mexicana de Pediatria. All rights reserved.

Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emergency care in a private hospital

Introduction: in order to limit the contagion of COVID-19, home confinement and the application of sanitary measures were necessary, which had an effect in the emergency services. Objective: to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the frequency of patient care in a pediatric emergency department. Material and methods: retrospective study in a private hospital in Mexico, in which two periods were analyzed: pre-pandemic (2019-2020) and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). In these two periods, the frequency of emergency medical consultations provided to children and adolescents was compared. The information is broken down by month and by type of illness: infectious, noninfectious, and due to accidents. Results: in the pre-pandemic period, 5,905 consultations were provided, and 2,384 during the pandemic (59.6% reduction), without differences with respect to age group and sex. When analyzing according to the month, it was observed that, compared to December 2019, in December 2020 there was the greatest reduction (70% decrease). Consultations for infectious causes were reduced by 74.4%, non-infectious ones by 25.3%, and accidents by 51.4%. Consultations for real urgency decreased by 64.5%, while felt urgency decreased by 55.2%. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic decreased emergency care consultations for pediatric patients, particularly due to infectious diseases. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

RI hospitals, state leaders address ED crowding, wait times

The article discusses highlights of a 2022 press event led by state health officials and hospital leaders in Rhode Island. Topics explored include the acknowledgment of health care issues particularly emergency department (ED) crowding and wait times, the challenges being faced by hospitals due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, and the hospital staffing shortage in the region.

COVID-19 impact on the emergency and hospitalization of a tertiary hospital. Management lessons learned.

INTRODUCTION: The objective is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric emergencies and hospital admissions. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients treated in a tertiary hospital, from March 14 to April 26, 2020, compared to the same period of the previous 3 years. RESULTS: A notable overall reduction in emergency room visits and admissions is observed in all pediatric areas, maintaining care in neonatology and scheduled admissions in oncology. DISCUSSION: The reduction in global activity in pediatric emergencies is not only explained by the decrease in contagious diseases. The decrease in inadequate demand and inappropriate income may have contributed. The availability of pediatric beds would make the reduction of programmed surgical activity unnecessary and would allow the redistribution of resources to areas with greater healthcare pressure.

COVID-19 impact on the emergency and hospitalization of a tertiary hospital. Management lessons learned. / Impacto COVID-19 en la urgencia y hospitalización de un hospital terciario. Lecciones de gestión aprendidas.

INTRODUCTION: The objective is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pediatric emergencies and hospital admissions. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients treated in a tertiary hospital, from March 14 to April 26, 2020, compared to the same period of the previous 3 years. RESULTS: A notable overall reduction in emergency room visits and admissions is observed in all pediatric areas, maintaining care in neonatology and scheduled admissions in oncology. DISCUSSION: The reduction in global activity in pediatric emergencies is not only explained by the decrease in contagious diseases. The decrease in inadequate demand and inappropriate income may have contributed. The availability of pediatric beds would make the reduction of programmed surgical activity unnecessary and would allow the redistribution of resources to areas with greater healthcare pressure.

Pediatric eye emergency department activity during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the volume and the characteristics of pediatric eye emergency department (PEED) consultations performed at our tertiary eye center during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and we compared them to those carried out in the same time interval of the previous three years. METHODS: Ophthalmic emergency examinations of patients aged ≤18 years old and done during the national COVID-19 lockdown (March 9th, 2020 - May 3rd, 2020) and in the corresponding date range of the previous three years (2017, 2018, and 2019) have been considered and reviewed. The following features were retrieved and analyzed: age, gender, duration and type of accused symptoms, traumatic etiology, and the discharge diagnosis. RESULTS: 136, 133, and 154 PEED visits have been performed respectively in 2017, 2018, and 2019, while 29 patients presented in 2020. Therefore, the volume of PEED activity decreased by 79.4% (p < 0.0001). Demographical and clinical characteristics were comparable to those of the pre-COVID period. Despite the absolute reduction in the number of traumas, urgent conditions increased significantly from 30.7 to 50.7% (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: PEED activity decreased consistently after the onset of the pandemic and it was mainly attended by those children whose conditions required prompt assistance, reducing the number of patients diagnosed with milder pathologies. At the end of the emergency, better use of PEED could avoid overcrowding and minimize waste, allowing resource optimization for the management of urgent cases.

Pediatric E.N.T. emergencies during COVID-19 pandemic: our experience.

Our aim is to analyze effect of covid-19 pandemic in management of pediatric emergencies in E.N.T. and to provide recommendations for management of pediatric emergencies in E.N.T. during pandemic. In this retrospective study we included emergency pediatric cases required early intervention during covid-19 pandemic. Pre operative radiological investigation x-ray was done in all aero digestive foreign body patients. Pre operative HRCT neck and chest with virtual bronchoscopy in foreign body inhalation & compromised airway patients was done only in cases where patient's clinical condition was stable. Similarly RT PCR for covid-19 screening done only in cases where patient's clinical condition was stable. Adequate personal protective equipment was used during all the procedures. Total 29 Pediatric patients age ranging from 1 day to 13 years underwent procedures due to history of foreign body inhalation; ingestion, insertion and compromised airway in form of immediate endotracheal intubation were included. Comprehensively we recommend intervention only in emergency procedures during pandemic, use of personal protective equipment during all procedures, preoperative investigations for diagnosis and modifications in operation theatre, anesthesia and surgical techniques to reduce aerosols generation will minimize risk of infection transmission to health care workers.

Pediatric Critical Care and the Climate Emergency: Our Responsibilities and a Call for Change.

Critical care is perhaps one of the most "climate-intensive" divisions of health care. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the unprecedented threat of climate change has belatedly prompted an increased awareness of critical care's environmental impact. Within our role as pediatric critical care providers, we have a dual responsibility not only to care for children at their most vulnerable, but also to advocate on their behalf. There are clear, demonstrable effects of our worsening climate on the health of children, with the resultant increased burden of pediatric critical illness and disruption to health care systems. From increasing wildfires and their effect on lung health, to the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, and the increased migration of children due to a changing climate, the effects of a changing climate are here, and we are beginning to see the changing epidemiology of pediatric critical illness. Ensuring that the effects of ongoing changes are minimized, including its future effects on child health, requires a multifaceted approach. As part of this review, we will use the Lancet Countdown on Climate Change indicators to explore the impact of pediatric critical care on climate change and the inevitable influence climate change will have on the future practice of pediatric critical care globally.