Caring for critically ill adults in paediatric intensive care units in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: planning, implementation and lessons for the future.
Arch Dis Child
; 106(6): 548-557, 2021 06.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1054629
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To describe the experience of paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in England that repurposed their units, equipment and staff to care for critically ill adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.DESIGN:
Descriptive study.SETTING:
Seven PICUs in England. MAIN OUTCOMEMEASURES:
(1) Modelling using historical Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network data; (2) space, staff, equipment, clinical care, communication and governance considerations during repurposing of PICUs; (3) characteristics, interventions and outcomes of adults cared for in repurposed PICUs.RESULTS:
Seven English PICUs, accounting for 137 beds, repurposed their space, staff and equipment to admit critically ill adults. Neighbouring PICUs increased their bed capacity to maintain overall bed numbers for children, which was informed by historical data modelling (median 280-307 PICU beds were required in England from March to June). A total of 145 adult patients (median age 50-62 years) were cared for in repurposed PICUs (1553 bed-days). The vast majority of patients had COVID-19 (109/145, 75%); the majority required invasive ventilation (91/109, 85%). Nearly, a third of patients (42/145, 29%) underwent a tracheostomy. Renal replacement therapy was provided in 20/145 (14%) patients. Twenty adults died in PICU (14%).CONCLUSION:
In a rapid and unprecedented effort during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, seven PICUs in England were repurposed to care for adult patients. The success of this effort was underpinned by extensive local preparation, close collaboration with adult intensivists and careful national planning to safeguard paediatric critical care capacity.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
/
Critical Care
/
COVID-19
/
Health Plan Implementation
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Arch Dis Child
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Archdischild-2020-320962
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