# Multi-Hospital Pediatric Surge Response to an RSV Epidemic in a US State: Oregon, 2022

## TL;DR

This study analyzed how hospitals in Oregon managed a surge in pediatric respiratory cases during an RSV epidemic in 2022.

## Contribution

The paper provides novel insights into statewide pediatric hospital capacity and response strategies during an RSV surge.

## Key findings

- The median pediatric inpatient census increased by 19% during the surge period.
- Weekly ED admissions to non-children’s hospitals increased by 160%.
- Elective pediatric admissions to children’s hospitals decreased by 33%.

## Abstract

There is limited data describing statewide pediatric surge response during times of capacity strain.

Characterize the burden and response to a surge in pediatric respiratory admissions in Oregon in 2022.

This analysis utilized data from the Oregon Capacity System (OCS) and the state discharge database to describe patient characteristics, census changes, and admission pattern shifts during an RSV epidemic in 2022.

Statewide pediatric census, weekly pediatric admissions, weekly admissions from non-children’s hospital emergency departments (EDs) to non-children’s hospitals.

The median census in Oregon’s pediatric inpatient hospitals increased by 19% during the surge period (306 vs 364, P < 0.001), while the median pediatric intensive care unit census increased by 50% (24 vs 36, P < 0.001). Weekly elective pediatric admissions to children’s hospitals decreased by 33% (30 vs 20, P = 0.03). ED admissions to non-children’s hospitals increased by 160% (15 vs 39 per week, P = 0.02).

As the statewide pediatric inpatient census increased, targeted reductions in elective admissions and increased utilization of non-children’s hospitals increased capacity during a respiratory surge. This analysis underscores the importance of real-time situational awareness and coordinated surge response between hospitals.