P0748 / #2018: CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OF SIX PEDIATRIC INTENSIVISTS IN AN ADULT INTENSIVE CARE UNIT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Aims & Objectives: Covid-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency on January 30, 2020. This pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems around the world and organizational changes have been necessary. The objective of this study is to describe the experiences lived by PICU (Pediatric Intensive care Unit) attending physicians who had to practice in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) during covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Observational, descriptive, transversal and retrospective study. Description of the paediatric consultant experiences between March and May 2020, while attending covid-19 adults in a ICU of a tertiary hospital in Madrid were included. Results: The team consisted of six PICU physicians. Was a full time job position with five additional 24 hours shifts per month. By the end of May, 3007 covid-19 patients were admitted to the hospital and 250 to the adult ICU. The number of ICU beds were increased to 150, compared with 30 pre-covid ICU beds. The high complexity of covid-19 patients, along with the elevated number of cases, fostered collaboration between pediatric and adult intensivists. During the teamwork, paediatricians were able to perform techniques such as orotracheal intubation, vascular access or tracheostomy, and were independent in adult ICU management of ECMO, hemofiltration, or comorbidities such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes. Conclusions: Hospitals have been able to expand their capacity in terms of ICU beds. Shortages of equipment and staff has been a major problem. PICU physicians can be of great value in supporting adult ICUs. However, this may have limitations and implications for clinical practice. Additional studies with objective data are required.