“This alarming surge only continues to place strain on a health system reeling from the COVID-19 global pandemic where nursing and respiratory therapist shortages continue, and global supply chain issues remain a problem.”īecause of this strain, the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics requested the Biden administration declare a state of emergency. “In some cities, states, and regions, hospitals are near bed capacity,” Baker said. We have also seen a shortage of pediatric antibiotics, another effect of the RSV surge. This strain affects pediatric offices, ambulatory clinics, and hospitals. Straining our health systemsĪs expected, this unanticipated surge is putting a strain on the health care community. “Respiratory therapists have shown great adaptability to meet the needs of their patients by training on additional equipment and by preparing to care for this patient population,” Caraway said. “Some area hospitals are preparing to open additional pediatric rooms, rather than relying on their usual process of transferring patients.”Ĭaraway explains that this is partly due to larger hospitals being at or near capacity. “Southern Illinois hospitals are experiencing a surge in RSV cases at this time,” AARC Member Lexie Caraway, MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, from Illinois. The RSV surge is branching across the country. “Experts are now calling this influx of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza a ‘tri-demic.’” “Since mid-November, hospitals are now starting to see an influx in COVID-19 and influenza resulting in increased acute respiratory illness and asthma exacerbations being seen in emergency departments and hospitalizations,” Baker said. However, in some cases, older children and adults who have chronic lung or heart disease, weakened immune systems, or neuromuscular diseases. Most of the RSV cases being seen across the country are children under the age of 2 years. “The past two years our virus and influenza season was mild likely due to COVID-19 lockdowns, social distancing, wearing masks, and diligence in hand washing limited the spread not only of COVID-19 but many other viruses that spread through contact and aerosolization,” Baker said.īaker continues to note that RSV hospitalizations have been on the rise since September. RSV hospitalizations on the riseĪccording to American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Member Joyce Baker, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, from Colorado, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSV season usually started at the end of December and ran through April, often overlapping with flu season. This virus is also surging much earlier than it has in previous years. Hospitals across the country are facing an unprecedented rise in patients battling the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Guidance Document - RRT Entry to Licensure.Coding, Billing and Reimbursement Issues.Early Professional Membership for Students.
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