AI Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated how pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) in Europe adapted their services during the first wave of COVID-19, focusing on changes in healthcare pathways.
- About 97% of the surveyed 39 PEDs across 17 countries remained open and operational, though 68% saw a decrease in the capacity of short-stay units.
- Despite the pandemic, there was minimal change in the availability of pediatric consultant services, and no clear relationship was found between service changes and peak COVID-19 case rates in the areas surveyed.
Article Abstract
Objective: Understanding how paediatric emergency departments (PEDs) across Europe adapted their healthcare pathways in response to COVID-19 will help guide responses to ongoing waves of COVID-19 and potential future pandemics. This study aimed to evaluate service reconfiguration across European PEDs during the initial COVID-19 wave.
Design: This cross-sectional survey included 39 PEDs in 17 countries. The online questionnaire captured (1) study site characteristics, (2) departmental changes and (3) pathways for children with acute illness pre and during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic (January-May 2020). Number of changes to health services, as a percentage of total possible changes encompassed by the survey, was compared with peak national SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates, and for both mixed and standalone paediatric centres.
Results: Overall, 97% (n=38) of centres remained open as usual during the pandemic. The capacity of 18 out of 28 (68%) short-stay units decreased; in contrast, 2 units (7%) increased their capacity. In 12 (31%) PEDs, they reported acting as receiving centres for diverted children during the pandemic.There was minimal change to the availability of paediatric consultant telephone advice services, consultant supervision of juniors or presence of responsible specialists within the PEDs.There was no relationship between percentage of possible change at each site and the peak national SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate. Mixed paediatric and adult hospitals made 8% of possible changes and standalone paediatric centres made 6% of possible changes (p=0.086).
Conclusion: Overall, there was limited change to the organisation or delivery of services across surveyed PEDs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8688729 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001269 | DOI Listing |
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