A survey of the global impact of COVID‐19 on the practice of pediatric anesthesia: A study from the pediatric anesthesia COVID‐19 Collaborative Group. Issue 6 (3rd May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soneru, Codruta N.; Fernandez, Allison M.; Bradford, Victoria; Staffa, Steven J.; Raman, Vidya T.; Cravero, Joseph; Zurakowski, David; Meier, Petra M.
• Editors: Anderson, Brian
• Other Names: Balakrishnan Sindu investigator.; Bansal Vipin investigator.; Torres Angela Becerra investigator.; Beethe Amy investigator.; Benzon Hubert A investigator.; Bhandari Angelina investigator.; Bocanegra Ashley investigator.; Bould Dylan investigator.; Peterson Melissa Brooks investigator.; Brzenski Alyssa investigator.; Busso Veronica investigator.; Cain James G investigator.; Cassidy Myles investigator.; Cheon Eric C investigator.; Chhabada Surendrasingh investigator.; Correll Lynnie R investigator.; Dalesio Nicholas M investigator.; Davidson Andrew investigator.; Derderian Courtney investigator.; Dhumak Vipul investigator.; Disma Nicola investigator.; D'Mello Ajay investigator.; Echeverry Piedad investigator.; Ellison Pavithra R investigator.; Erb Thomas investigator.; Fajardo Angelica investigator.; Falcon Ricardo J investigator.; Frugoni Brian investigator.; García Javier investigator.; Giraldo Olga Lucía investigator.; Glover Chris D investigator.; Goeller Jessica investigator.; Goobie Susan M investigator.; Gooch Ingrid investigator.; Granados Lina Maria investigator.; Grivoyannis Anastasia investigator.; Guruswamy Velu investigator.; Hesselink Emily investigator.; Hobbs Jill investigator.; Hunyady Agnes investigator.; Jain Ranu investigator.; Jorge‐Reynolds Lydia investigator.; Kato Meredith A investigator.; King Michael R investigator.; Kitzman Jamie investigator.; Koh Jeffrey investigator.; Lester Andy investigator.; Lorinc Amanda investigator.; Lozano Constanza investigator.; Manupipatpong Katherine investigator.; Matava Clyde investigator.; McLuckie Duncan investigator.; Merchant Kanwal investigator.; Levy Heather Mitzel investigator.; Muldowney Bridget L investigator.; Navarro Julian Andres investigator.; Nelson Jonathon investigator.; Patel Amish investigator.; Patel Roshan investigator.; Ravula Niroop investigator.; Reddy Desigen investigator.; Reddy Srijaya K investigator.; McCormick Megan Rodgers investigator.; Roque Remigio (Remi) investigator.; Rosen David investigator.; Beel Elizabeth Rossmann investigator.; Rothschild Leelach investigator.; Sarmiento Lina investigator.; Shadrina Anna investigator.; Shaw Robert investigator.; Sheth Michelle investigator.; Simpao Allan F investigator.; Singh Neeta investigator.; Smith Timothy E investigator.; Soria Claire investigator.; Szmuk Peter investigator.; Taicher Brad M. investigator.; Tan Gee Mei investigator.; Teng Howard investigator.; Edala Thejovathi investigator.; Tighe Nathaniel investigator.; Tom Simon investigator.; Trujillo Alexander investigator.; Vishneski Susan R investigator.; Vivas Juan Pablo investigator.; Samek Adam Von investigator.; von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S investigator.; Whyte Simon investigator.; Wilder Robert T. investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Paediatric anaesthesia. Volume 31:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 720
• Page End: 729
• Publication Date: 2021-05-03
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- hospital economics -- pediatric anesthesia -- personal protective equipment -- preoperative testing -- simulation; Pediatric anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96798
• DOI: 10.1111/pan.14174
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1155-5645

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Pediatric anesthesiology has been greatly impacted by COVID‐19 in the delivery of care to patients and to the individual providers. With this study, we sought to survey pediatric centers and highlight the variations in care related to perioperative medicine during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including the availability of protective equipment, the practice of pediatric anesthesia, and economic impact. Aim: The aim of the survey was to determine how COVID‐19 directly impacted pediatric anesthesia practices during the study period. Methods: A survey concerning four major domains (testing, safety, clinical management/policy, economics) was developed. It was pilot tested for clarity and content by members of the Pediatric Anesthesia COVID‐19 Collaborative. The survey was administered by email to all Pediatric Anesthesia COVID‐19 Collaborative members on September 1, 2020. Respondents had six weeks to complete the survey and were instructed to answer the questions based on their institution's practice during September 1 ‐ October 13, 2020. Results: Sixty‐three institutions (100% response rate) participated in the COVID‐19 Pediatric Anesthesia Survey. Forty‐one hospitals (65%) were from the United States, and 35% included other countries. N95 masks were available to anesthesia teams at 91% of institutions (n = 57) (95% CI: 80%–96%). COVID‐19 testing criteria of anesthesia staff and guidelines to return to work varied by institution. Structured simulation training aimed at improving COVID‐19 safety and patient care occurred at 62% of institutions (n = 39). Pediatric anesthesiologists were economically affected by a reduction in their employer benefits and restriction of travel due to employer imposed quarantine regulations. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the testing, safety, clinical management, and economics of pediatric anesthesia practice. Further investigation into the long‐term consequences for the specialty is indicated.