J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Apr;38(13):e96. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e96.

Building of Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic: A Novel Operation Model in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

• Choe YJ
• Lee JS
• Lee Y
• Park KH
• Yoo Y
• Im GJ
• Lee SW
• Park JE

• KMID: 2541047
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e96

Abstract

In mid-2022, as the wave of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases escalated in South Korea, a public-private partnership was made to establish a Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic (PMC). We describe the utilization of the first prototype children’s modular clinic in Korea University Anam Hospital functioning as the COVID-19 PMC. Between August 1 and September 30, 2022, a total of 766 children visited COVID-19 PMC. Daily number of patient visits to the COVID-19 PMC ranged between 10 and 47 in August; and less than 13 patients per day in September 2022. Not only the model provided timely care for the COVID-19 pediatric patients, but it also enabled safe and efficacious care for the non-COVID-19 patients in the main hospital building while minimizing exposure risk to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. Current description highlights the importance of spatial measures for mitigating in-hospital transmission of COVID-19, in specifically on pediatric care.

Keyword

COVID-19; Children; Pediatric; Module; Clinic

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Illustration of the Pediatric COVID-19 Module Clinic in Korea University Anam Campus. (A) Layout, (B) schematic view, and (C) streamlining function of the clinic.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.

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  Fig. 2 Monitoring of pediatric patients with COVID-19 during August and September 2022. (A) Daily number of (a) children visiting COVID-19 Pediatric Module Clinic, Korea University Anam Hospital, and (b) 7-day moving average of COVID-19 incidence per 100,000, Seoul Metropolitan City. (B) Geographical distribution of patients visiting COVID-19 Pediatric Module Clinic.D1, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Nowon-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Jongno-gu; D2, Seongdong-gu, Mapo-gu, Jungnang-gu, Dobong-gu, Yongsan-gu, Jung-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Eunpyeong-gu; D3, Seongpa-gu, Gangnam-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Gangdong-gu, Seocho-gu, Gangseo-gu, Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu; D4, non-Seoul area (Seongnam, Uiwang, Incheon, Goyang, Gwacheon, Gwangju, Hwaseong, Gwangmyeong, Gimpo, Bucheon, Anyang).COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.

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