Alert Hub:

Pediatric Surge in Respiratory Illness

Pediatric Surge in Respiratory Illness

Response

Healthcare Ready is ENGAGED for the pediatric surge in severe respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. We are in continuous communication with private and public sector partners to monitor impacts, shortages of pediatric medical supplies, supply chain needs for treatment and prevention, and health equity concerns.

Pediatric Hospital Bed Utilization Map

This map was created to help healthcare professionals and emergency managers understand pediatric inpatient bed availability across the country. The map provides a visual representation of data sourced from: HHS’s COVID-19 Reported Patient Impact and Hospital Capacity by State Timeseries.

The map visualizes State-level Pediatric Bed Utilization Rate, which is the percent of pediatric beds occupied by patients (calculated as pediatric beds occupied / total pediatric beds).

Hover over a state to see additional data for that state.

Disclaimer: Local capacity may vary drastically within a given state as not all hospitals are reporting. As such, hospital capacity is likely lower than shown in this resource.

Hover over a state to see additional data for that state.

  • Pediatric inpatient beds: Total number of pediatric beds in the facility that are currently set-up, staffed and able to be used for a patient. Includes: Occupied and unoccupied inpatient pediatric beds including both PICU, med-surge beds, and surge/hallway/overflow beds that are open for use for a patient. Excludes: NICU, newborn nursery beds, and outpatient surgery beds. 
  • Pediatric beds per 100,000 persons under 18: Ratio of pediatric beds to every 100,000 individuals under 18 ((pediatric patient beds / population under 18) * 100,000)
  • Hospitals reporting into dataset: Number of hospitals reporting bed data
  • Percent of hospitals reporting: Percent of all hospitals in a state that are reporting bed data (count of hospitals reporting bed data / total hospitals in state)

Note: The COVID-19 Reported Patient Impact and Hospital Capacity by State Timeseries dataset does not account for every hospital in a state, as it is not mandatory to submit data to Healthdata.gov.

Situation Overview

Respiratory illnesses caused by viruses such as Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), enterovirus, and rhinovirus have been the driving force behind the increase in pediatric hospital admissions across the U.S. Officials are advising hospital systems to increase communication and resource/stock-sharing to address the present pediatric surge, especially as facilities are preparing for the possibility that overlapping viruses such as RSV, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and influenza could result in disruption to testing and treatment supplies and hospitals reaching maximum capacity. 

In recent months, healthcare providers have seen an uptick in all 3 respiratory illnesses, especially RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms and tends to emerge yearly at the same time as flu in the United States. However, RSV infection can be serious for infants, as it is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in children younger than 1 year of age in the U.S. RSV can also be serious for older adults and those who are immunocompromised. 

Healthcare Ready is Closely Monitoring the Following Areas:

  • Supply chain operations, including demand for pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and issues related to workforce and business continuity.­
  • Response of the U.S. health system to mitigate the outbreak domestically. Healthcare Ready is working with health systems to understand their concerns and coordinating with federal partners to understand healthcare and public health response strategies.
  • Global outbreaks to understand possible upstream supply chain issues.
  • Humanitarian assistance efforts to coordinate donations and supplies for where they’re most needed

Preparedness for Healthcare Facilities

There are several steps that can be taken to enhance regional preparedness. Healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals can prepare communication and resource-sharing networks to be poised for response by:

  • Reviewing crisis standards of care that include pediatric strategies to avoid reaching crisis.
  • Coordinating with healthcare coalitions, especially to review pediatric surge annexes.
  • Training non-pediatric practitioners to be able to care for pediatric patients.
  • Refreshing and reviewing transfer agreements with other children’s hospitals or adult hospitals with pediatric bed capacity.
  • Refreshing contacts with distributors and vendors to alert them of potential needs.
  • Confirming contacts with county or city public health departments in case assistance needs to be requested.
  • Reviewing and restocking pediatric and NICU Critical Supply Lists.
  • Following the latest guidance from key institutions, such as: American Academy of PediatricsCDCNIH.

Resources

General

RSV

Flu

  • Flu Activity & Surveillance | CDC – CDC homepage for flu surveillance resources, including weekly US flu reports (FluView) and data visualization tools. 

COVID-19

Healthcare Ready's Role

Healthcare Ready works to monitor and evaluate the situation around the damage and provide analysis of its implications. We aim to provide information across sectors to supply information to all parties involved or impacted. Healthcare Ready is focusing efforts on highlighting challenges and supporting solutions to these challenges from the damages.

SITUATION REPORTS & THREAT ASSESSMENTS

Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 01/20/23.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 01/06/23.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 12/22/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 12/15/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 12/08/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 12/01/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 11/23/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 11/18/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 11/10/22.
Get the most recent updates on healthcare and public health access in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian, as of 11/04/22.

RELATED CONTENT

Healthcare Ready is currently MONITORING the impacts of Hurricane Rafael. We are closely monitoring supply chain disruptions and assessing community needs in collaboration with our private and public sector partners. Our focus is on evaluating the damage and providing insights into its implications, while working to address the challenges and support solutions for recovery efforts.
Healthcare Ready is currently ENGAGED for impacts of Hurricane Milton. We are closely monitoring supply chain disruptions and assessing community needs in collaboration with our private and public sector partners. Our focus is on evaluating the damage and providing insights into its implications, while working to address the challenges and support solutions for recovery efforts.
Healthcare Ready is MONITORING the impacts of the 2024 Port Strikes. As of October 1, East Coast and Gulf Coast port workers are officially on strike after a new labor contract was not reached between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).  
Healthcare Ready is currently ENGAGED for impacts of damages done to the NC IV solution plant. We monitor supply chain needs and community impact with the assistance of our private and public sector partners. 
Healthcare Ready is currently ENGAGED for impacts of Hurricane Helene. We are closely monitoring supply chain disruptions and assessing community needs in collaboration with our private and public sector partners. Our focus is on evaluating the damage and providing insights into its implications, while working to address the challenges and support solutions for recovery efforts.
Healthcare Ready is currently MONITORING for any impacts from the Avian Influenza outbreak. We are monitoring supply chain needs and community impact with the assistance of our private and public sector partners. Healthcare Ready is currently consolidating information pertinent to the 2024 Avian Influenza outbreak and will disseminate it promptly. We are committed to ensuring that accurate and comprehensive data are made available at the earliest opportunity to facilitate informed decision-making and effective response measures

Request Assistance from Healthcare Ready

If you would like to request assistance from Healthcare Ready, please email at Alerts@HealthcareReady.org or call (866-247-2694)
Search

Sign up for updates and alerts