David P Galloway1, Michelle S Mathis1, Linda T Wilkinson1, Robert S Venick2, Danielle Wendel3, Conrad R Cole4, Colin A Martin5. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of California at Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles, USA. 3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, Washington, Seattle, USA. 4. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA. 5. Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced how healthcare is being provided, particularly in patients whose diagnoses require multidisciplinary care, such as pediatric intestinal failure (IF). We sought to ascertain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery for pediatric patients with IF. METHODS: A 20-question survey was administered to members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) Special Interest Group. Input values were "yes" and "no," along with a free-text response. Following a 10-day open survey period, data were divided into cohorts based on patient population size and disease burden by state. Analysis was then performed using the χ2 test application. RESULTS: Responses from 29 centers were included in analysis. Centers that followed >50 patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) were more likely to have social workers present in telemedicine visits and observed more central line difficulties among families. Centers located in states with <40,000 reported cases of COVID-19 saw patients less frequently and were more likely to withhold changes to PN prescriptions. Additionally, the survey revealed a significant degree of financial hardship and food insecurity among families. CONCLUSION: Many aspects of pediatric IF healthcare delivery have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both for care providers and caregivers. Despite the availability of telemedicine, IR centers should remain attentive to the global needs of the pediatric IF patient, as well as their families.
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced how healthcare is being provided, particularly in patients whose diagnoses require multidisciplinary care, such as pediatric intestinal failure (IF). We sought to ascertain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery for pediatric patients with IF. METHODS:A 20-question survey was administered to members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) Special Interest Group. Input values were "yes" and "no," along with a free-text response. Following a 10-day open survey period, data were divided into cohorts based on patient population size and disease burden by state. Analysis was then performed using the χ2 test application. RESULTS: Responses from 29 centers were included in analysis. Centers that followed >50 patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) were more likely to have social workers present in telemedicine visits and observed more central line difficulties among families. Centers located in states with <40,000 reported cases of COVID-19 saw patients less frequently and were more likely to withhold changes to PN prescriptions. Additionally, the survey revealed a significant degree of financial hardship and food insecurity among families. CONCLUSION: Many aspects of pediatric IF healthcare delivery have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both for care providers and caregivers. Despite the availability of telemedicine, IR centers should remain attentive to the global needs of the pediatric IFpatient, as well as their families.
Authors: Marcin Folwarski; Stanisław Kłęk; Przemysław Matras; Lidia Bartoszewska; Sławomir Bednarz; Marlena Jakubczyk; Zbigniew Kamocki; Grzegorz Krasowski; Marek Kunecki; Bogna Kwella; Katarzyna Matysiak-Luśnia; Konrad Matysiak; Gabriela Pierzynowska; Waldemar Szafrański; Jacek Szopiński; Krystyna Urbanowicz; Jacek Sobocki Journal: Nutrition Date: 2021-02-13 Impact factor: 4.008