In the only pediatric intensive care unit (IC) of the UMC+ in Maastricht in Limburg, almost all beds are full. Which reports L1. Just like nationwide, pediatric wards are currently experiencing a spike due in particular to the RS virus. Of the eight IC beds available in the MUMC+, six are currently operational.
“We are very busy, there are many children with RS virus infections or respiratory infections, but we managed it,” says MUMC+ head of the children’s department and professor of pediatrics Gertjan Driessen.
An emergency meeting was held Tuesday evening in which specialist physicians from all seven National University Medical Centers (UMCs) discussed further measures. Last week, MUMC+ decided to cancel non-emergency operations. The consultation showed that if necessary, measures such as the transfer of patients to other pediatric wards (CIs) in the country or a further reduction in planned care will be taken. “If that means keeping an IC bed free by canceling an operation, we’ll do it. But a whole new package of measures hasn’t been created,” Driessen said.
While all Dutch UMCs are at full capacity, it is still manageable and no different from the years before the pandemic, according to Driessen. Since everyone has been less exposed to viruses since the coronavirus, including children, resistance is lower. Previously, ICs in pediatric wards had already had to contend with a spike in young patients due to virus infections. “They’re part of this time of year. Every year, therefore, there’s a consultation among academic hospitals to see how pressure can be better distributed and regulated,” says Driessen.
One in a thousand children with the RS virus ends up in the ICU due to complications. There are a total of 100 IC beds for children available in the Netherlands. Whether this is too low is therefore a valid question, according to Driessen. You also say that it’s not just about the number of physical beds. Every bed needs hands and feet in the form of staff who can take care of patients. When there is no staff, “the beds must be closed”. There is currently a shortage of nursing staff, due to the pressure of the corona which caused the staff to be relocated to other departments, but also due to absenteeism due to the viruses themselves. “So it’s really a political discussion.”
