Adaptations of paediatric cardiology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cardiol Young. 2021 Oct 18:1-5. doi: 10.1017/S1047951121004364. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

During the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring and summer of 2020, paediatric heart centres were forced to rapidly alter the way patient care was provided to minimise interruption to patient care as well as exposure to the virus. In this survey-based descriptive study, we characterise changes that occurred within paediatric cardiology practices across the United States and described provider experience and attitudes towards these changes during the pandemic. Common changes that were implemented included decreased numbers of procedures, limiting visitors and shifting towards telemedicine encounters. The information obtained from this survey may be useful in guiding and standardising responses to future public health crises.

Keywords: COVID-19; pediatric cardiology; practice changes.