SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection control strategies in European paediatric emergency departments during the first wave o
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SHORT COMMUNICATION
SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection control strategies in European paediatric emergency departments during the first wave of the pandemic Malte Kohns Vasconcelos 1,2 & Hanna Renk 3 & Jolanta Popielska 4 & Maggie Nyirenda Nyang’wa 5 & Sigita Burokiene 6 & Despoina Gkentzi 7 & Ewelina Gowin 8 & Daniele Donà 9 & Sara Villanueva-Medina 10 & Andrew Riordan 11 & Markus Hufnagel 12 & Sarah Eisen 13 & Liviana Da Dalt 14 & Carlo Giaquinto 9 & Julia A. Bielicki 1,15 Received: 11 June 2020 / Revised: 1 September 2020 / Accepted: 9 October 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Between February and May 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, paediatric emergency departments in 12 European countries were prospectively surveyed on their implementation of SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) testing and infection control strategies. All participating departments (23) implemented standardised case definitions, testing guidelines, early triage and infection control strategies early in the outbreak. Patient testing criteria initially focused on suspect cases and later began to include screening, mainly for hospital admissions. Long turnaround times for test results likely put additional strain on healthcare resources. Conclusion: Shortening turnaround times for SARS-CoV-2 tests should be a priority. Specific paediatric testing criteria are needed. What is Known: • WHO and public health authorities issued case definitions, testing and infection control recommendations for COVID-19 in January. • SARS-CoV-2 testing was made available across Europe in February. What is New: • Paediatric emergency departments implemented COVID-19-specific procedures rapidly, including case definitions, testing guidelines and early triage. • A third of surveyed departments waited more than 24 h for SARS-CoV-2 test to be reported, resulting in additional strain on resources.
Keywords COVID-19 . Preparedness . Survey . Triage Communicated by Nicole Ritz * Malte Kohns Vasconcelos [email protected]
Sara Villanueva-Medina [email protected]
Hanna Renk [email protected]
Andrew Riordan [email protected]
Jolanta Popielska [email protected]
Markus Hufnagel [email protected]
Maggie Nyirenda Nyang’wa [email protected]
Sarah Eisen [email protected]
Sigita Burokiene [email protected]
Liviana Da Dalt [email protected]
Despoina Gkentzi [email protected] Ewelina Gowin [email protected] Daniele Donà [email protected]
Carlo Giaquinto [email protected] Julia A. Bielicki [email protected] Extended author information available on the last page of the article
Eur J Pediatr
Abbreviations A&E ARI ECDC HSCT LRTI PICU SARS-CoV-2 UK WHO
Results Accident and emergency department Acute respiratory infection European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation Lower respiratory tract infection Paediatric intensive care unit Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 United Ki
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