How the “tripledemic” impacts pediatric ED care

Editor's Note

According to a new study from the University of Michigan, a surge in multiple respiratory viruses was associated with different pediatric acute care across emergency departments (EDs) across the state. The findings appeared in JAMA Network Open on December 7.

The study used data from more than 2.7 million ED statewide ED visits from 2021 to 2022. During the timespan from September to December 2022, the state experienced what researchers call a “tripledemic” of RSV, COVID-19 and flu cases. Among other findings, the study showed that:

• Pediatric respiratory emergency visits increased by 72% during the four months of the surge.
• During the surge, 8 percent of these visits had prolonged wait times of more than 4 hours.
• Total ED treatment times were longer than 12 hours for 9 percent of visits.
• More children returned within 72 hours of ED discharge during the surge than in the months prior.
• For children who went to general EDs rather than pediatric EDs, wait times were typically less than an hour, and fewer children experienced visit times longer than 12 hours.

The researchers say the findings highlight the need for preparedness for surges in viral illnesses impacting children, and for children’s hospitals to lead the coordination between EDs and hospital systems.