Specialized care during the pandemic
As the hospital marks its 10-year anniversary, Physician in Chief J. Nathan Hagstrom, MD, and Anne Baum, who became the hospital’s first President in January 2022, reflect on how the health network’s commitment to building a foundation of excellence in pediatric care has impacted the community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, when the new Breidegam Family Children’s ER opened in July 2021, doubling the size of the original ER to 27 beds, it came just in time.
“We saw our highest surge of pediatric COVID-19 cases, along with a surge of other respiratory viruses more typical in the winter from July 2021 to January 2022,” Hagstrom says. “For several months, we were averaging 100 patients a day in the Children’s ER."
“Having a dedicated entrance, waiting area and observation area in the Children’s ER was critical to providing the specialized care children required, and it also helped our adult ER function more efficiently,” Baum adds.
The Jeffrey Paul and Grace Kathryn Feather Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) had also opened in July 2021, with 12 patient care rooms and a dedicated lounge and reception area.
“Just after opening, we had days when every bed in the PICU was filled,” Hagstrom says.
Baum notes that the hospital’s commitment to family-centered care proved critical. All patient care rooms are private and designed to enable at least one caregiver to stay with the child, even when visitation is limited.