Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: How COVID-19 Transformed Inpatient Pediatric Gastroenterology

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted inpatient pediatric services across the United States, creating opportunities for innovation. A recent Webinar organized by the Telehealth for Pediatric GI Care Now working group and sponsored by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition provided insights into how inpatient pediatric gastroenterology services were affected and how physicians adapted during the crisis. These findings suggest the use of telehealth technologies may augment family communication and facilitate multidisciplinary care in the future. We anticipate that these innovative applications of telehealth will comprise a part of a toolkit for gastroenterologists to be used during this public health emergency and beyond.

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Position Statement for Telehealth

“…Features should optimize accessibility (eg, language interpretation services), technological support, and connectivity (16). A "bring your own device" requirement (17) limits the accessibility of TH to only patients-families with appropriate devices. When choosing software for asynchronous telemedicine, an important consideration is the ability to transfer color and interactive files such as endoscopy, radiology, or pathology images and reports.…”

Telehealth for Pediatric Gastroenterology in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond

“…In the inpatient and emergency department settings, telehealth facilitates expert gastroenterology consultation to facilities that may be understaffed or overwhelmed by surges in patient volumes (5). It has also been implemented within individual facilities as part of a broader infection control strategy.…”