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Rationalizing the Pediatric Emergency Department Workload: An Epidemiological Profile of Presentations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Hannah Farley BAMedSci, DPhil. Oxford University Medical School, Medical Sciences Divisional Office, University of Oxford, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5383-1367
  • Helen Bennett BAMedSci. Oxford University Medical School, Medical Sciences Divisional Office, University of Oxford, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9196-7433
  • Sahana Rao FRCPCH, DCH, PGCME, MCADMeD. John Radcliffe Hospital, Paediatrics Department, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Paediatrics, Headley Way. Dept of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Medical Sciences Divisional Office, University of Oxford, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3091-065X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2022.1156

Keywords:

COVID-19, Workforce, Workload, Communicable Diseases, Respiratory Tract Diseases

Abstract

Background: Infectious respiratory disease in children provides a significant seasonal workload burden to pediatric emergency departments. Studies from the Southern hemisphere during the first wave of coronavirus (COVID-19) had shown a decrease in seasonal pediatric respiratory infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, predicted drops in infectious disease circulating in children led to redeployment of junior doctors in pediatric services to adult services.

Methods: We extracted data on children presenting to a tertiary emergency department with a respiratory illness, comparing winter 2019-2020 (pre-COVID-19) to winter 2020-2021 (post-COVID-19). We compiled demographic and epidemiological data and compared the two groups with regards to number and type of infectious respiratory presentations, admissions, days spent in hospital, and whether intensive or high dependency support was required.

Results: We have found a reduction in respiratory disease presentations post-COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19. These patients were more likely to be admitted but their stay was reduced, and there was a trend towards a reduction in requirement for intensive or high dependency support during their admission. Conclusion: This work supports the redeployment of junior doctors in pediatric departments to adult departments given increased demand in other areas of medical care at that time. In view of the changing landscape, we suggest the introduction of a flexible staffing format to ensure adequate support to areas with higher demand.

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References

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Published

2022-01-24 — Updated on 2022-04-13

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How to Cite

Farley, H., Bennett, H., & Rao, S. (2022). Rationalizing the Pediatric Emergency Department Workload: An Epidemiological Profile of Presentations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Medical Students, 10(1), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2022.1156 (Original work published April 5, 2022)

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Short Communication

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Copyright (c) 2022 Hannah Farley, Helen Bennett, Sahana Rao

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