Abstract
In the Veneto Region, an exponential spread of patients affected by 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been observed after February 21st. Since then, we have been evaluating children suspected or confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection. A protocol for pediatric hospital reorganization and children management has been developed, since the beginning of the epidemic. A pre-triage area has been created at the immediate entrance of the pediatric emergency room, for all uncritical pediatric patients. According to the epidemiologic and clinical risk factors, all children/adolescents have been addressing to one of the four different pathways created. The strict application of this protocol has been leading to quickly identification, isolation, and management of all positive children, preventing SARS-CoV-2 intrahospital spread.
Highlights
The global health crisis of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is changing the world [1, 2]
In the Veneto Region, an exponential spread of patients affected by 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been observed since February 21st, the day of the first COVID-19 positive adult admitted to the University Hospital of Padua
We strongly suggest testing the caregiver with a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 since familiar clusters are frequent
Summary
The global health crisis of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is changing the world [1, 2]. In the Veneto Region, an exponential spread of patients affected by 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been observed since February 21st, the day of the first COVID-19 positive adult admitted to the University Hospital of Padua. COVID-19 confirmed cases were those with a positive nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-CoV-2, detected by qualitative polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) [4]. This protocol was the result of all our daily efforts to merge scientific evidences that were available with clinical and organizational issues faced within the first month of coexistence with COVID-19 [6,7,8,9]. In March 2020, this hospital reorganization was, firstly, set up in the PED of the Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health at Padua University Hospital and it was subsequently promoted to all the Pediatric departments of Veneto Region. Our Children’s Hospital provides primary and secondary care for a metropolitan area of 350,000 people (45,000 younger than 15 years) and tertiary care for a regional and extra-regional population, with ∼26,000 PED visits per year and an overall hospital admission rate from PED of around 7 out of 100 visits
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