J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Apr;38(13):e96. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e96.

Building of Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic: A Novel Operation Model in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Allergy Immunology Center, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
  • 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

In mid-2022, as the wave of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases escalated in South Korea, a public-private partnership was made to establish a Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic (PMC). We describe the utilization of the first prototype children’s modular clinic in Korea University Anam Hospital functioning as the COVID-19 PMC. Between August 1 and September 30, 2022, a total of 766 children visited COVID-19 PMC. Daily number of patient visits to the COVID-19 PMC ranged between 10 and 47 in August; and less than 13 patients per day in September 2022. Not only the model provided timely care for the COVID-19 pediatric patients, but it also enabled safe and efficacious care for the non-COVID-19 patients in the main hospital building while minimizing exposure risk to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. Current description highlights the importance of spatial measures for mitigating in-hospital transmission of COVID-19, in specifically on pediatric care.

Keyword

COVID-19; Children; Pediatric; Module; Clinic

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Illustration of the Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic in Korea University Anam Campus. (A) Layout, (B) schematic view, and (C) streamlining function of the clinic.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.

  • Fig. 2 Monitoring of pediatric patients with COVID-19 during August and September 2022. (A) Daily number of (a) children visiting COVID-19 Pediatric Module Clinic, Korea University Anam Hospital, and (b) 7-day moving average of COVID-19 incidence per 100,000, Seoul Metropolitan City. (B) Geographical distribution of patients visiting COVID-19 Pediatric Module Clinic.D1, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Nowon-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Jongno-gu; D2, Seongdong-gu, Mapo-gu, Jungnang-gu, Dobong-gu, Yongsan-gu, Jung-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Eunpyeong-gu; D3, Seongpa-gu, Gangnam-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Gangdong-gu, Seocho-gu, Gangseo-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu; D4, non-Seoul area (Seongnam, Uiwang, Incheon, Goyang, Gwacheon, Gwangju, Hwaseong, Gwangmyeong, Gimpo, Bucheon, Anyang).COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.


Reference

1. Jang W, Kim B, Kim ES, Song KH, Moon SM, Lee MJ, et al. Differences in strategies for prevention of COVID-19 transmission in hospitals: nationwide survey results from the Republic of Korea. J Hosp Infect. 2022; 129:22–30. PMID: 35998837.
2. Choi YY, Kim YS, Lee SY, Sim J, Choe YJ, Han MS. Croup as a manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection in young children. J Korean Med Sci. 2022; 37(20):e140. PMID: 35607737.
3. World Health Organization. Classification and Minimum Standards for Emergency Medical Teams. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization;2021.
4. Cheng A, Chen Y, Gao Y, Sun P, Chang R, Zhou B, et al. Mobile isolation wards in a fever clinic: a novel operation model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Epidemiol Infect. 2021; 149:e61. PMID: 33622421.
5. Ku SS, Choe YJ. A public-private partnership model to build a triage system in response to a COVID-19 outbreak in Hanam City, South Korea. Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2020; 11(5):339–342. PMID: 33117640.
6. Park J, Chung E. Learning from past pandemic governance: early response and public-private partnerships in testing of COVID-19 in South Korea. World Dev. 2021; 137:105198. PMID: 32982017.
7. Ndayishimiye C, Sowada C, Dyjach P, Stasiak A, Middleton J, Lopes H, et al. Associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and hospital infrastructure adaptation and planning-a scoping review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(13):8195. PMID: 35805855.
Full Text Links
  • JKMS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr