Pequeno Príncipe Hospital has prepared an ICU and 48 beds to receive patients with COVID-19

In this pandemic moment, the society’s support for the institution remains fundamental

The largest pediatric hospital in Brazil, Pequeno Príncipe, is prepared to welcome children and adolescents with coronavirus (COVID-19). “For this purpose, a 10-beds ICU is already devoted for the care of these patients, as well as an inpatient floor with 24 rooms, which can receive up to two beds each, totaling 48 beds,” explains the Hospital’s technical director of health services, Donizetti Dimer Giamberardino Filho. From March 4 to March 27, 33 patients with suspected COVID-19 were treated. None of the cases was confirmed.

At this time of year – with the autumn just around the corner, which is usually quite severe in the southern region of Brazil, where Pequeno Príncipe is located –, other respiratory diseases also intensified, making this pandemic moment even more challenging. “Especially babies who are facing their first autumn usually have respiratory complications, such as bronchiolitis,” says the Hospital’s executive director, Ety Cristina Forte Carneiro.

She says that since January, when the information on the coronavirus were intensified, the institution started to plan and execute actions to protect, prevent and face the pandemic, while estimating the usual demand that occurs in this period. “We intensified the staff training, reinforced good practices in the use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and, above all, self-care. We also established the care flows and protocols and organized ourselves in terms of space to receive the children and adolescents who need them,” she explains.

Measures were also taken to protect the health of the more than 2,000 employees of the institution and of children who are already hospitalized and who, due to the treatments they take, are in the risk group. “In this sense, we have suspended several activities such as classes for students in the health field – such as nurses, psychologists and doctors –, visits, the volunteering activities and educational and cultural activities. We closed the playrooms and our library,” she said.

The events of Pequeno Príncipe scheduled for 2020 were postponed or canceled and employees who need to hold meetings with suppliers, supporters and other audiences were instructed to do it remotely.

All appointments, procedures and elective surgeries (which are not urgent) have been temporarily canceled. “This is a measure to protect children’s health, which will have an impact on institutional sustainability, as we are failing to carry out a series of procedures that are not urgent or emergency. The procedures that can be scheduled – and for now are suspended – represent a significant volume in our income. For this reason, more than never, the support of the society for our institution is fundamental,” she reinforced.

Social Investment
The fourth floor of the Hospital, which is being destined for the admission of patients with suspected COVID-19, is part of one of Pequeno Príncipe’s first great achievements that had the massive support of investors, who allocated resources through the Income Tax. This work was inaugurated in late 2008.

In addition, in recent years, several respirators and other equipment acquired by the institution were enabled by the support from companies and individuals. In 2019, for example, 22 multi-parameter monitors and 10 new respirators were purchased – equipment essential for the treatment of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases – with resources donated to Pequeno Príncipe. “Along one hundred years of history, with each new challenge we face, we are strengthened with the trust and support we receive from companies and sensitive people committed to caring for the most vulnerable and transforming society. Together, we will face and overcome this challenging moment,” emphasizes the director.

Pequeno Príncipe Hospital has prepared an ICU and 48 beds to receive patients with COVID-19

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