1. Responses of paediatric emergency departments to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe: a cross-sectional survey study
- Author
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Antonio Chiaretti, Borja Gomez, Ian Maconochie, Silvia Bressan, Damian Roland, Luigi Titomanlio, Ana Sofia Simões, Liviana Da Dalt, Henriette A Moll, Vanessa Gorito, Michael Barrett, Lina Jankauskaite, Niccolo Parri, Rianne Oostenbrink, Dorine Borensztajn, Ruud Nijman, Michael Bennett, Mark Lyttle, Danilo Buonsenso, Romain Basmaci, Stuart Hartshorn, Roberto Velasco, Susanne Greber-Platzer, Shrouk Messahel, Sylvester Gomes, Clarissa Barber, Romain Guedj, Zanda Pucuka, Kate Honeyford, João Viana, Patricia Macao, Camille Aupiais, Samuel Rhedin, Jonas Thüminger, Sofia Reis, Katy Rose, Zsolt Bognar, Tisham De, Ruth Farrugia, Alexis Rybak, Asgeir Haraldsson, Caner Turan, Christoph Zurl, Corinne Vasilico, Daniel Weghuber, Daniela Kohlfuerst, Danielle Rose, Esra Akyüz Özkan, Fiona Leonard, Florian Hey, Florian Hoffman, Francisca Saraiva, Gábor Simon, Inês Mascarenhas, John Jensen, Julia Lischka, Katarina Vincek, Laszlo Fodor, Lia Mano, Malin Ryd Rinder, Matthias Schaffert, Merve Havan, Mojca Kolnik, Naomi Lin, Nuno Serrade Almeida, Orkun Aydın, Ozlem Teksam, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Petra Salamon, Rohan Mongru, Rosa Morello, Sandra Soares Cardoso, Sofia Rapti, Sonia Andrade Santos, Susana Castanhinha, Thibault de Groc, Urdur Jonsdottir, Valtýr Stefánsson Thors, Vanda Anacleto, and Vytenis Masillonis
- Subjects
Pediatrics ,RJ1-570 - 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.
- Published
- 2021
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