Responses of paediatric emergency departments to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe: a cross-sectional survey study.
Details
Request a copy Under indefinite embargo.UNIL restricted access
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_DFB55DB76ED6
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Responses of paediatric emergency departments to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe: a cross-sectional survey study.
Journal
BMJ paediatrics open
Working group(s)
in association with the REPEM network (Research in European Paediatric Emergency Medicine) as part of the EPISODES Study, in association with the REPEM network(Research in European Paediatric Emergency Medicine) as part of the EPISODES Study
Contributor(s)
Rybak A., Simões A.S., Chiaretti A., Haraldsson A., Gomez B., Aupiais C., Turan C., Zurl C., Barber C., Vasilico C., Weghuber D., Kohlfuerst D., Rose D., Borensztajn D., Özkan E.A., Leonard F., Hey F., Hoffman F., Saraiva F., Simon G., Mascarenhas I., Viana J., Jensen J., Thüminger J., Lischka J., Vincek K., Fodor L., Mano L., Jankauskaite L., Rinder M.R., Lyttle M., Schaffert M., Havan M., Barrett M., Bennett M., Kolnik M., Lin N., Almeida N.S., Aydın O., Teksam O., Fitzpatrick P., Mação P., Salamon P., Velasco R., Mongru R., Basmaci R., Guedj R., Morello R., Rhedin S., Cardoso S.S., Messahel S., Rapti S., Reis S., Santos S.A., Hartshorn S., Castanhinha S., Greber-Platzer S., Gomes S., Groc T., Alfven T., Jonsdottir U., Thors V.S., Anacleto V., Gorito V., Masillonis V., Pučuka Z.
ISSN
2399-9772 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
2399-9772
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
5
Number
1
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
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.
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.
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).
Overall, there was limited change to the organisation or delivery of services across surveyed PEDs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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).
Overall, there was limited change to the organisation or delivery of services across surveyed PEDs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords
Adult, COVID-19/epidemiology, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Emergency Service, Hospital, Humans, Pandemics, SARS-CoV-2, Surveys and Questionnaires, COVID-19, health services research
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
27/01/2025 14:07
Last modification date
28/01/2025 7:07
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