Up to the Challenge: Adapting Pediatric Intensive Care During a Global Pandemic

• DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.910018
• Publication Date: 2022-07-13T05:33:44Z
• Authors: Myra Pereira; Olugbenga Akinkugbe; Laura Buckley; Elaine Gilfoyle; Sarah Ibrahim; Melissa McCradden; Sarah Somerton; Karen Dryden-Palmer
• Keywords: Family-Centered Care; Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems world wide. In our region, surging numbers of critically ill adult patients demanded urgent system-wide responses. During the peak pandemic, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team redesigned existing educational resources and processes care to ensure for first time in hospital's history.Describe experiences impacts rapidly initiated Adult Program on providers (HCP) family members. Havelock's Theory Change framed examination participant surfaced lessons learned.A quality improvement review was employed collect feedback about program experience from patient's HCP completed a questionnaire 10 months following implementation members provided during obtained. used explore trends frame participants' experiences.Pediatric bedside clinical leaders (n = 17), hospital partners 3), 8) participated. describe; motivation readiness; concern personal safety uncertainty experienced early phases; importance supports resources; use relationships collaboration facilitate change; emotional this unique experience; opportunities individual growth. An overarching theme 'doing part help' emerged. Family described positive family-centered interventions offered, individualized care, shock at their member's illness.The PICU adapted provide adults pandemic. expressed feeling grateful loved ones received pediatric setting. caring with source tension, growth, meaning intensive team.