Pediatric emergency care in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and reopening periods.

OBJECTIVE: New York City (NYC) is home to the largest public healthcare system in the United States and was an early epicenter of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. This system serves as the safety net for underserved and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Prior studies reported substantial declines in pediatric emergency department (ED) volume during the initial pandemic surge, but few describe the ongoing impact of COVID-19 throughout the year. We evaluated the characteristics of pediatric ED visits to NYC public hospitals during the pandemic lockdown and reopening periods of 2020 compared to the prior year. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of pediatric ED visits from 11 NYC public hospitals from January 2019-December 2020. Visit demographics, throughput times, and diagnosis information during the early (3/7/20-6/7/20) and late (6/8/20-12/31/20) pandemic periods coinciding with the New York State of emergency declaration (3/7/20) and the first reopening date (6/7/20) were compared to similar time periods in 2019. Findings were correlated with key pandemic shutdown and reopening events. RESULTS: There was a 47% decrease in ED volume in 2020 compared to 2019 (125,649 versus 238,024 visits). After reopening orders began in June 2020, volumes increased but peaked at <60% of 2019 volumes. Admission rates, triage acuity, and risk of presenting with a serious medical illness were significantly higher in 2020 versus 2019 (P < 0.001). Time-to-provider times decreased however provider-to-disposition times increased during the pandemic (P < 0.001). Infectious and asthma diagnoses declined >70% during the pandemic in contrast to the year prior. After reopening periods began, penetrating traumatic injuries significantly increased compared to 2019 [+34%, Relative Risk: 3.2 (2.6, 3.8)]. CONCLUSIONS: NYC public hospitals experienced a sharp decrease in pediatric volume but an increase in patient acuity during both the initial pandemic surge and through the reopening periods. As COVID-19 variants emerge, the threat of the current pandemic expanding remains. Understanding its influence on pediatric ED utilization can optimize resource allocation and ensure equitable care for future surge events.

Critical Care And Emergency Department Response At The Epicenter Of The COVID-19 Pandemic.

New York City has emerged as the global epicenter for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The city's public health system, New York City Health + Hospitals, has been key to the city's response because its vulnerable patient population is disproportionately affected by the disease. As the number of cases rose in the city, NYC Health + Hospitals carried out plans to greatly expand critical care capacity. Primary intensive care unit (ICU) spaces were identified and upgraded as needed, and new ICU spaces were created in emergency departments, procedural areas, and other inpatient units. Patients were transferred between hospitals to reduce strain. Critical care staffing was supplemented by temporary recruits, volunteers, and Department of Defense medical personnel. Supplies needed to deliver critical care were monitored closely and replenished to prevent interruptions. An emergency department action team was formed to ensure that the experience of front-line providers was informing network-level decisions. The steps taken by NYC Health + Hospitals greatly expanded its capacity to provide critical care during an unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases in NYC. These steps, along with lessons learned, could inform preparations for other health systems during a primary or secondary surge of cases.

Screening for asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhea in adolescent males in an urban pediatric emergency department.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhea (GC) in young men seeking care in the emergency department (ED) for non-sexually transmitted infection (STI) related symptoms. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study in an urban ED. The main outcome was the rate of positive CT and GC on urine nucleic acid amplification testing in males aged 16-21 presenting with non-STI related complaints. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-four patients were enrolled, 271 were included in the final data analysis [age range 16-21, median: 18 (quartiles 16-18, 19-21)]. Overall, 17 (6.3%, 95%CI: 4%-10%) tested positive for CT and 0% (95%CI: 0%-2%) were found to have GC. The proportion of sexually active subjects was 71% (95%CI: 65%-76%) and 2% (95%CI: 0.6%-4%) reported sex with men. Previous STI testing was reported in 46% (95%CI: 43%-54%) and 13% (95%CI: 8%-20%) of those patients previously tested had a history of STI. Of the patients who tested positive for CT in the ED, 88% (95%CI: 64%-98%) were successfully followed up. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CT infection found by screening was 6.3%. Screening and follow-up from the ED was successful. The findings justify routine STI screening in male adolescents presenting to the ED with non-STI related complaints.

Predicting Flow in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Are Holidays Lighter?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether patient volume in an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) can be predicted based on holidays and thus aid in staffing and resource allocation. METHODS: Log-in dates and times were obtained for all patients seen in an urban pediatric ED between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2013. Visits were coded for the day of the week, tour (ie, shift), and season and whether they occurred on a holiday or nonholiday. Comparisons between the median number of patient visits on holidays versus nonholidays by day of the week, tour, and season were performed. Additional comparisons on 5 Monday holidays as well as New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day were also performed. Data were presented as medians with interquartile ranges. Group comparisons were performed via using Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α = 0.05, 2 tailed). RESULTS: There were 223,677 total patient visits, with a mean yearly census of 31,954. The median daily volume was 85, peaking on Mondays (median, 99). The summer season demonstrated the fewest number of patient visits (median, 74) relative to the other seasons (medians, 89-91). Compared with nonholidays, there were fewer patient visits on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and in the late afternoon and evening on other individual holidays. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer patient visits on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, as well as during the late afternoon/evening on several other holidays, point to the possibility of small adjustments to staffing in ways that can more efficiently balance demand with available resources.

Inhaled Foreign Bodies In Pediatric Patients: Proven Management Techniques In The Emergency Department.

Foreign body inhalation affects thousands of children every year, and it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Inhaled organic or inorganic foreign bodies can become lodged in the posterior nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, or bronchi. Presentation of foreign body inhalation can range from nonspecific respiratory symptoms to respiratory failure associated with a choking episode. In this issue, an in-depth review of the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of inhaled foreign bodies is presented. Risk factors for foreign body inhalation and clinical clues to diagnosis, as well as emergent management of inhaled foreign bodies are reviewed. A systematic approach, as described in this issue, will aid in timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of inhaled foreign bodies, thereby limiting future complications and morbidity.

Evaluation of the Quidel QuickVue test for detection of influenza A and B viruses in the pediatric emergency medicine setting by use of three specimen collection methods.

The Quidel QuickVue influenza test was compared to viral culture and reverse transcriptase PCR by the use of three different respiratory specimen types. Of 122 pediatric subjects enrolled, 59 had influenza virus infections: 44 were infected with influenza A virus and 15 were infected with influenza B virus. The sensitivity of the QuickVue test was 85% with nasopharyngeal swabs, 78% with nasal swabs, and 69% with nasopharyngeal washes. Specificities were equivalent (97% to 98%) for all three collection methods.