Integration of two acute paediatric services during Covid-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction To describe our experience during the COVID 19 pandemic when the acute in-patient service in CHI at Tallaght was relocated to CHI at Crumlin. Methods We describe the change management and the hospital activity across the two tertiary centres during the early pandemic (March-June 2020) and compared this to the same period in 2019. Results We compared activity during the pandemic to the same period in 2019, as the in-patient unit in Tallaght closed but day-care and OPD care continued. In CHI at Tallaght the number of day-cases and the new and review patients at ‘face to face’ OPD reduced by 76.29% (370), 67.06 % (1899) and 72.58% (2448) respectively. Similarly, in CHI at Crumlin, the admissions from ED, the day-cases, the number of new and review patients at ‘face to face’ OPD decreased by 21.74% (593), 29.14% (1442), 66.88% (2870) and 67.13% (8009) respectively. However, the number of patients managed in the virtual clinics increased significantly on both sites. All education sessions were delivered online. Conclusion With leadership, good decision making and the flexibility of clinical staff, we demonstrated how a rapid integration of services can be achieved. Whist activity levels reduced initially;new ways of working allowed us to continue to care for patients. Our shared experience was positive as we devised new team-working schedules, delivered remote education, and learned together in the midst of a crisis.