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COVID-19 Result Follow-Up Process in the Pediatric Emergency Department Setting
Shaina Newman1, Joelle Simpson1, Ashley Perritt1
1Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Insights
Children's National Hospital developed a rapid COVID-19 testing follow-up process for pediatric patients. This enhanced patient safety and experience while managing high testing volumes during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems.
- Emergency departments (EDs) faced surges in patient visits and the need for efficient testing protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel, comprehensive follow-up process implemented by the Children's National Hospital ED.
- To ensure timely notification of COVID-19 test results and facilitate remote patient-provider communication.
Main Methods:
- Rapid implementation of a new patient follow-up system within two weeks of the first pediatric COVID-19 case.
- Utilized remote communication for test result notification and consultations.
- Focused on reducing unnecessary patient and staff exposures.
Main Results:
- Successfully managed over 1900 patients discharged pending COVID-19 test results.
- Ensured timely notification and remote consultations, improving patient experience.
- Enhanced safety by minimizing potential exposures within the ED setting.
Conclusions:
- The implemented COVID-19 testing follow-up process was highly successful in managing patient flow and safety.
- The model demonstrated effectiveness in a high-volume pediatric emergency department setting.
- Future expansion to include antibody testing notification is anticipated.
Abstract:
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upended the world. As emergency departments and hospitals across the nation and world braced themselves for the surge of this new disease, the emergency department (ED) at Children's National Hospital (CNH) quickly created a process to address surges in patient visits and follow-ups for coronavirus testing. Within 2 wk of the first reported pediatric patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, CNH ED implemented a new comprehensive follow-up process. This article describes the novel process that ensured timely notification of testing results, enabled patients to speak remotely with ED providers, increased patient and staff safety by reducing unnecessary exposures, and suggested a good patient experience. With over 1900 patients discharged pending their COVID-19 results, the program is successful. We anticipate expansion into antibody testing and notification as the pandemic progresses.
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