COVID-19 vaccine controversy: A cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst emergency department patients in New York City.

Objective: Understanding variables associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine confidence and hesitancy may inform strategies to improve vaccine uptake in clinical settings such as the emergency department (ED). We aim to identify factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and to assess patient attitudes surrounding offering COVID-19 vaccines in the ED. Methods: We conducted a survey of a convenience sample of patients and patient visitors over the age 18 years, who were native English or Spanish speakers. The survey was conducted from March through August 2021 at 3 EDs in New York City. The survey was administered via an electronic format, and participants provided verbal consent. Results: Our sample size was 377. Individuals with post-graduate degrees viewed vaccines positively (Prevalence Ratio [PR], 1.63; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.07-2.47).  Of the various high-risk medical conditions associated with adverse COVID-19 infection outcomes, diabetes was the only condition associated with more positive views of vaccines (PR, 1.37; CI, 1.17-1.59). Of all participants, 71.21% stated that they believed offering a COVID-19 vaccine in the ED was a good idea. Of unvaccinated participants, 21.80% stated they would get vaccinated if it were offered to them in the ED. Conclusion: EDs can serve as a safety net for vulnerable populations and can act as an access point for vaccination.

Pediatric health care use during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned from the initial 2020 wave.

Objective: During the height of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a decline and shift in pediatric medical care use. We aimed to assess changes to pediatric medical use and perceptions/barriers that influenced caregivers' decision-making during the New York State mandated lockdown from March 22 to June 8, 2020, in a population that opted to use the pediatric emergency department (PED) during this period. This study was conducted in New York City (NYC), one of the epicenters at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: From June 14 to December 28, 2020, a convenience sample of caregivers who brought children 0-17 years to a NYC PED completed a survey. Results: Participants in the survey included 290 caregivers: 76% were Hispanic; 91% reported having accessed medical care when their children were ill during the lockdown. In-person primary care visits decreased from 64% before to 9% during lockdown; 28% missed well-child checkups or vaccinations, and 26% missed specialist appointments. Telemedicine usage increased from 10% to 54%; none reported lack of internet or electronic devices as barriers to using telemedicine. Regarding access to care: 36% perceived increased difficulty during the lockdown, whereas 56% felt no difference. Barriers included fear of contracting COVID-19 and government advice to avoid health care visits for minor problems. Conclusion: During the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical care shifted from an in-person to a virtual platform. Identification of factors and barriers surrounding caregivers' decision-making may positively inform strategies toward future public health emergencies.

Pediatric Emergency Physicians' Comfort Level Providing Urgent Care for Adults on Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience at an Academic Medical Center.

OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to assess the comfort level of pediatric emergency physicians (PEPs) providing urgent care to adult patients on telemedicine (APOTM) when redeployed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, how it changed over time, and what resources were helpful.  Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective pre-post cross-sectional survey of PEPs providing urgent care to APOTM with COVID-19 symptoms during the COVID-19 surge from March 12, 2020, to June 12, 2020 (the "care period") at two academic pediatric emergency departments in New York City. A retrospective chart review was also conducted. We include data on demographics of PEPs and adult patients; comfort level of PEPs providing urgent care to APOTM with COVID-19 symptoms pre- and post-three-month care period and effective resources. RESULTS: Sixty-five PEPs provided urgent care to 1515 APOTM with COVID-19 symptoms during the care period. Pre-pandemic, 22/43 (51%) of responders feared caring for APOTM; 6/43 (14%) were comfortable. At the end of the care period, 25/42 (58%) of the responders stated they were comfortable caring for these patients. Factors associated with increased comfort level were: increased volume of patients over time, treatment algorithms, group support via electronic communication, and real-time back-up by a general emergency medicine (GEM) physician. Reduced medicolegal liability was also cited. CONCLUSION:  With minimal additional training and resources, PEPs can increase their comfort to provide urgent care to APOTM with COVID-19 symptoms. As future pandemics may disproportionately affect certain patient populations (adults versus pediatrics), interventions such as treatment algorithms, group support via emails and texts, and sub-specialty backup should be incorporated into redeployment plans for urgent care telemedicine programs. Future research is needed to determine the adaptability of other medical specialties to cross-cover a different specialty from their own if needed.

Intranasal Lorazepam for Treatment of Severe Agitation in a Pediatric Behavioral Health Patient in the Emergency Department.

The treatment of severe agitation, aggression, and violent behavior in behavioral health patients who present to the emergency department (ED) often requires the intramuscular administration of a sedative. However, administering an intramuscular sedative to an uncooperative patient is associated with the risk of needlestick injuries to both patients and health care providers, and times to onset of sedation range from 15 to 45 minutes. Intranasal absorption is more rapid than intramuscular, with sedatives such as lorazepam reaching peak serum concentrations up to 6 times faster when administered intranasally. We present the first report of using intranasal lorazepam as a needle-free method of providing rapid and effective sedation to treat severe agitation in a pediatric behavioral health patient presenting to the ED.

Intranasal hydromorphone for treatment of acute pain in children: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the analgesic efficacy, duration of analgesia, and adverse event profile associated with intranasal hydromorphone in children with acute pain presenting to an emergency department. METHODS: Prospective dose titration pilot study of otherwise healthy children 4 to 17-years-old with moderate to severe pain who required a parenteral opioid. All patients received an initial intranasal hydromorophone dose of 0.03 mg/kg. The need for additional analgesia was assessed at 15 and 30 min; an additional 0.015 mg/kg was given at each assessment, if required. Need for rescue analgesic, pain intensity and adverse events were assessed until 6 h after hydromorphone administration or until patients were discharged, underwent a procedure to treat their painful condition, or received a rescue analgesic. RESULTS: We enrolled 35 children. Fifteen, 11, and 9 children required a total dose of 0.03, 0.045, and 0.06 mg/kg, respectively. Patients in each dose group experienced an absolute decrease in pain score of ≥3/10 and percent reduction >40% within 5-15 min of completing dose-titration administration of hydromorphone. Duration of analgesia (i.e. time until rescue analgesic administered) >1 h was observed in 85.7% of patients. Patients not requiring rescue analgesics had mild or no pain until discharged or their painful conditions were treated. Three (8.6%) patients required a rescue analgesic <1 h after hydromorphone administration. There were no major adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal hydromorphone led to rapid, clinically significant and frequently sustained decreases in pain intensity in children. No major adverse events were observed in this preliminary sample. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT02437669.