Prisma Health is calling a recent influx of pediatric patients a “surge,” and officials are blaming it on a convergence of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.Prisma media relations specialist Sandy Dees said there are currently a total of 12 COVID-19 pediatric patients at Prisma Health, systemwide. She said while the overall inpatient pediatric patient count continues to be higher than normal this time of year, the health system has the capability to meet the needs of those patients. Dees said the hospital system has been seeing a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases since July, along with adult COVID-19 cases. “The larger issue is that we’re also seeing a convergence of COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other respiratory illnesses that has increased the number of patients of our Children’s Hospitals,” Dees said. “With the surge, we are using our size and scale to address the immediate needs for beds, staffing and other medical resources. While this situation is becoming more difficult, we plan for such an event, and we are confident in our team’s ability to provide care.”“We’re here and ready to treat our communities,” Dr. Caughman Taylor, senior medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands said. “We have never turned away a child and never will. While we do our part, we need our community partners to help us as well as they always have.” Dr. Robin Lacroix, medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Upstate, said, “Remember, children under 12 can’t be vaccinated. They’re depending on us. We need everyone to help take care of our children by getting their vaccines, wearing masks and social distancing as appropriate.” “Our pediatric clinical staff recommends that all families follow Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention guidelines regarding masking, hand washing and social distancing,” Lacroix said.
GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Prisma Health is calling a recent influx of pediatric patients a “surge,” and officials are blaming it on a convergence of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Prisma media relations specialist Sandy Dees said there are currently a total of 12 COVID-19 pediatric patients at Prisma Health, systemwide.
She said while the overall inpatient pediatric patient count continues to be higher than normal this time of year, the health system has the capability to meet the needs of those patients.
Dees said the hospital system has been seeing a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases since July, along with adult COVID-19 cases.
“The larger issue is that we’re also seeing a convergence of COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other respiratory illnesses that has increased the number of patients of our Children’s Hospitals,” Dees said.
“With the surge, we are using our size and scale to address the immediate needs for beds, staffing and other medical resources. While this situation is becoming more difficult, we plan for such an event, and we are confident in our team’s ability to provide care.”
“We’re here and ready to treat our communities,” Dr. Caughman Taylor, senior medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands said. “We have never turned away a child and never will. While we do our part, we need our community partners to help us as well as they always have.”
Dr. Robin Lacroix, medical director of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Upstate, said, “Remember, children under 12 can’t be vaccinated. They’re depending on us. We need everyone to help take care of our children by getting their vaccines, wearing masks and social distancing as appropriate.”
“Our pediatric clinical staff recommends that all families follow Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention guidelines regarding masking, hand washing and social distancing,” Lacroix said.