Identifying parent anxiety and family distress of critically ill children in response to changes in hospital visitation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic

This research study describes parent anxiety and family distress among three study groups of varying restrictions in parent presence for children in the PICU during a pandemic. A retrospective study was conducted to describe differences in parent anxiety and family distress for parents of children hospitalized before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants fell into three study groups based on the dates of the child's hospital stay and the level of parent and family presence or restriction they experienced. Participants were asked to complete a survey that included basic demographic information along with utilization of the GAD-7 and FDI measures. The data were assessed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. A total of 82 parents of children hospitalized during the specified times in the PICU participated. There was a statistically significant difference among the three cohorts in diagnoses (respiratory, cardiovascular, and medical-surgical), p ≤0.001. A larger percentage of children of the study participants were hospitalized with respiratory illnesses (62.5%) in the unrestricted study group when compared to the other study groups with higher patient acuity. There was also a statistical significance among the three study groups regarding whether the second parent was able to visit the child during the PICU admission (p = 0.007). Our study suggests that restricting parent and visitor presence does not increase parent anxiety or family distress during a child's admission to the PICU. The literature widely supports that having a critically ill child is undoubtedly stressful for parents and families, but the most significant causation for the anxiety and stress remains unknown and is likely multifactorial. Parents who experienced rigid restrictions in parent and visitor presence did not have increased anxiety. Other impactful variables such as a child's mortality risk and the uncertainty of outcome may have impacted anxiety for parents whose children were critically ill. Further research is needed to understand which stressors are most significant, during a critically ill child's hospitalization, from a parent's perspective. Limiting staff and patient exposure to persons who may have contagious illness (restricting parent and family presence) may not in itself lead to increased anxiety and distress for parents and families. This study may provide context for careful development of hospital visitation policies to ensure balance between patient and family centered care and protection from infectious disease. • A child's admission to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is one of the most stressful and anxiety-provoking situations for parents. • Restricting parent presence interrupts the social and emotional relationship and offers less time for bonding.. • Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) forced hospitals to make abrupt changes to existing visitation policies. • This research provides context for support of careful development and implementation of hospital visitation policies.

The burden of viral infections in pediatric intensive care unit between endemic and pandemic coronavirus infections: A tertiary care center experience

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of viral infections, length of stay (LOS), and outcome in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during the period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic in a MERS-CoV endemic country. Methods: A retrospective chart review of children 0–14 years old admitted to PICU with a viral infection. Results: Of 1736 patients, 164 patients (9.45%) had a positive viral infection. The annual prevalence trended downward over a three-year period, from 11.7% to 7.3%. The median PICU LOS was 11.6 days. Viral infections were responsible for 1904.4 (21.94%) PICU patient-days. Mechanical ventilation was used in 91.5% of patients, including noninvasive and invasive modes. Comorbidities were significantly associated with intubation (P-value = 0.025). Patients infected with multiple viruses had median pediatric index of mortality 2 (PIM 2) scores of 4, as compared to 1 for patients with single virus infections (p < 0.001), and a median PICU LOS of 12 days, compared to 4 in the single-virus group (p < 0.001). Overall, mortality associated with viral infections in PICU was 7 (4.3%). Patients with viral infections having multiple organ failure were significantly more likely to die in the PICU (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Viral infections are responsible for one-fifth of PICU patient-days, with a high demand for mechanical ventilation. Patients with multiple viral infections had longer LOS, and higher PIM 2 scores. The downward trend in the yearly rate of PICU admissions for viral infections between the end of the MERS-CoV outbreak and the start of the COVID-19 pandemic may suggest viral interference that warrants further investigations. © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases

A Multimodal Approach to Training COVID-19 Processes Across Four Intensive Care Units.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) required innovative training strategies for emergent aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) in intensive care units (ICUs). This manuscript summarizes institutional operationalization of COVID-specific training, standardized across four ICUs. An interdisciplinary team collaborated with the Simulator Program and OpenPediatrics refining logistics using process maps, walkthroughs and simulation. A multimodal approach to information dissemination, high-volume team training in modified resuscitation practices and technical skill acquisition included instructional videos, training superusers, small-group simulation using a flipped classroom approach with rapid cycle deliberate practice, interactive webinars, and cognitive aids. Institutional data on application of this model are presented. Success was founded in interdisciplinary collaboration, resource availability and institutional buy in.

Severe viral respiratory infections in the pre-COVID era: A 5-year experience in two pediatric intensive care units in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Viral respiratory infections are one of the main causes of hospitalization in children. Even if mortality rate is low, 2% to 3% of the hospitalized children need mechanical ventilation. Risk factors for admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are well known, while few studies have described risk factors for invasive ventilator support and prolonged hospitalization. METHODS: A retrospective study including all patients aged between 2 and 18 months with a confirmed viral respiratory infection, requiring admission to PICU from September to March between 2015 and 2019, was conducted at Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, Italy. RESULTS: One hundred ninety patients were enrolled, with a median age of 2.7 months; 32.1% had at least one comorbidity, mainly prematurity. The most frequent isolated viruses were RSV-B, rhinovirus, and RSV-A; 38.4% needed mechanical ventilation. This subgroup of patients had lower median birth weight compared with patients not requiring mechanical ventilation (2800 g vs. 3180 g, p = 0.02); moreover, comorbidities were present in 43.8% of intubated patients and in 24.8% of patients treated with non-invasive ventilation (p = 0.006). Viral coinfection did not result to be a risk factor for mechanical support, while virus-bacteria coinfection was significantly associated with mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). Similar risk factors were identified for prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Early identification of patients who could have a sudden respiratory deterioration and need of mechanical ventilation is crucial to reduce complications due to orotracheal intubation and prolonged hospitalization in PICU. Further studies are needed to define high-risk group of patients and to design targeted interventions.

Evaluation of Intoxication Cases Followed up in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit During COVID-19 Pandemic with Social Restrictions

Introduction: Intoxication's are the preventable cause of mortality and morbidity. While most pediatric cases are asymptomatic at presentation, some patients might present with life-threatening symptoms. Patients with life-threatening symptoms need close follow-up in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). In this study we aim to retrospectively evaluate the demographic, epidemiologic, clinical features, and prognosis of the patients that are followed up in PICU when the social restrictions were on and to investigate the effect of these restrictions on patients with intoxication. Materials and Methods: Patients that are followed up with intoxication between August 2020 and December 2021 when the social restrictions were on due to COVID-19 in Istanbul University of Health Sciences Turkey, Sancaktepe Sehit Prof. Ilhan Varank Training and Research Hospital PICU were included. Results: There were 50 patients with the diagnosis of intoxication that were followed up in our PICU between August 2020 - December 2021. Thirty-two of them (64%) were female and 18 of them were male (36%), and the median age was 14.9 (0.25-17.8) years. Four (8%) of our patients needed invasive mechanical ventilation support, while 5 (10%) of them needed noninvasive mechanical ventilator support. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was applied to 6 patients and charcoal hemoperfusion (CH) therapy was applied to 8 (16%) patients with various drug intoxication symptoms. Conclusion: Life-threatening pediatric intoxication cases may be encountered. Extracorporeal therapies such as TPE and CH may be lifesaving in chosen cases. In our opinion, our study will contribute to the literature regarding the use of extracorporeal therapies without any mortal complications.

The downstream effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: The supply chain failure, a wicked problem.

The failure of the global supply chain became rapidly apparent at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare organizations were left without supplies needed to care for patients. The supply chain failure is one downstream effect of the pandemic and indirectly impacts patient morbidity and mortality. This column presents a case study of one staff nurse's experience working in a pediatric intensive care unit at a rural children's hospital two years into the pandemic and the toll the global supply chain failure continues to take on patients and healthcare professionals. Central Line Blood Stream Infections (CLABSIs) are used to showcase the severity of the supply chain failure at the point of care. Standardized central line insertion and care bundles have proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of CLABSI; however, they are dependent on the availability of materials and supplies. Health care providers face a "wicked problem" in preventing CLABSIs. The failure of the global supply chain must be examined by healthcare organizations, manufacturers, and government officials so that new systems can be put into place, so we are prepared for a public health emergency.

[Untact Visit Service Development Based on an Application Reflecting the Circumstances during COVID-19: Focusing on Utilization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units].

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop an untact visit service based on an application that can be utilized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during COVID-19. METHODS: This study adopted the double diamond process of service design comprising the discovery, defining, and development stages. RESULTS: We developed an untact visit service based on an application that considered the child's status, schedule, photo, and video messages, and so on. Moreover, we derived a service flow regarding the required roles and the type of flow shown between each stakeholder. CONCLUSION: Considering the ongoing pandemic, the untact visit service is designed to increase rapport and participation of parents, share the child's information in real-time, and provide one-stop service without increasing healthcare providers' work. It will be a useful visit service that can be applied and evaluated in various hospital settings and the PICU.