Amidst Illness Surge, CHA Offers Free Courses to Build Competencies in Pediatric Respiratory Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the midst of an ongoing surge of seasonal respiratory illnesses — including influenza, RSV and COVID-19 — and the ongoing youth mental health crisis, clinicians and providers at children's hospitals are working overtime to provide the best pediatric care possible. To support them in providing quality care, Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) is providing a no-cost educational resource for a limited time for teams providing respiratory care to children in emergency rooms and inpatient settings. The courses help teams to refresh and learn new knowledge to provide high-level care to pediatric patients.

“This year, our children’s hospitals are not only managing flu season, but an uptick in RSV, Covid-19, and norovirus cases, on top of an ongoing youth mental health crisis nationwide,” said CHA Chief Medical Officer Torey Mack, M.D. “In the midst of a surge, knowing how to care for pediatric patients matters. To manage workforce challenges and ensure children receive the high-quality care they need during this season, Children’s Hospital Association provides educational resources to hospitals to make sure clinicians on the front line refresh and expand their knowledge to care for kids when they need it most. The viral surge we’re seeing now is challenging, but children’s hospitals and health systems know how to handle it and remain committed to providing the best pediatric care possible.”

Children may experience different care in children’s hospitals, community hospitals, and rural emergency departments due to capacity challenges during illness surges. Respiratory illnesses like RSV can be dangerous for infants and young children, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating 58,000-80,000 children younger than five years are hospitalized due to RSV each year.

To help improve pediatric care during surges, the courses include real-world scenarios and interactive elements to support safe and effective practices. The four-part unit covers:

• Airway management and respiratory support.
• Weight-based medication dosing.
• Pediatric codes.
• Pediatric parent or caregiver interactions.

To learn more, visit the Care of the Acutely Ill Pediatric Patient: Respiratory Bundle course page.