A Blueprint for Pediatric Emergency Resource Reallocation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An NYC Hospital Experience

Abstract

Objective: We present a blueprint for the reallocation of pediatric emergency resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center is an urban, quaternary, academic medical center, a level 1 trauma center, and a regional burn center located in New York City. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic created a unique challenge for pediatric emergency medicine. As the crisis heightened for adult patients, pediatric emergency services experienced a significant decline in volume and acuity.

Results: We offer guidelines to modify physical space, clinical services, staffing models, and the importance of steady leadership. Pediatric emergency space was converted to adult COVID-19 beds, necessitating the repurposing of nonclinical areas for pediatric patients. Efficient clinical pathways were created in collaboration with medical and surgical subspecialists for expedited emergency care of children. We transitioned staffing models to meet the changing clinical demands of the emergency department by both reallocation of pediatric emergency medicine providers to telemedicine and by expanding their clinical care to adult patients. Concentrated communication and receptiveness by hospital and department leadership were fundamental to address the dynamic state of the pandemic and ensure provider wellness.

Conclusions: Modification of physical space, clinical services, staffing models, and the importance of steady leadership enabled us to maintain outstanding clinical care for pediatric patients while maximizing capacity and service for adult COVID-19 patients in the emergency department.