When Bone Pain Isn’t What You Think
Each year Seattle Children’s Rheumatology program treats several hundred patients who have chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), also known as chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO).
High Patient Surge Strains Hospital and Emergency Department: How You Can Help
After a dip in census over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Emergency Department (ED) and the hospital had a high surge of patients on Monday, November 29. The ED was at 200% capacity Monday evening with a mental health surge of 16 patients (40% of the normal ED bed capacity).
COVID-19 Update on Boosters and Referrals for Antibody Infusion
Boosters Now Available at Main Campus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed qualifying criteria to expand who can get the COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for extended immunity. Seattle Children’s now is able to administer booster doses under an emergency use authorization to any individual who is 18 years and older and has:
- Received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago
- Received the single-dose Janssen vaccine at least two months ago
Reminder: Strains On Our ED and Inpatient Capacity – Your Help Requested
As a reminder, we continue to experience a very high number of Emergency Department (ED) visits due in large part to respiratory illnesses, mental health concerns and COVID-19.* The ED is using every available space to treat patients, including lobby space, a converted storage area and tents. Seattle Children’s Urgent Care clinics also are experiencing high demand and are full most days.
All Ambulatory Clinics Are Now Conducting Suicide Screening
Seattle Children’s ambulatory clinics are now screening all patients 10 years of age and older for suicidal ideation. This includes patients at our regional clinics. Screening was rolled out in phases starting in May. Since then, 9,000 ambulatory patients have been screened and over 700 screened positive and received follow-up interventions. Suicide screening has been in place for more than two years in our Emergency Department and inpatient units.
Pilot: Newborn Screening Test for Wilson Disease Begins Nov. 1
A newborn screening test for Wilson disease is being trialed in Washington beginning November 1 in a pilot study that Dr. Sihoun Hahn hopes will lead to diagnosing infants across the country who have this life-threatening but easily treated disease.
New Flyers in 5 Languages Address Mental Health for Children and Teens
Three leading U.S. pediatric health organizations declared a state of emergency in youth mental health on October 19, 2021. We want to take this opportunity to share several new flyers from Seattle Children’s intended to help families find a qualified and available mental health counselor for their child. We encourage our provider partners in the community to share them with patients and families.
Anti-Racism Work at Seattle Children’s: Workforce Focus Groups Underway
Between October 23 and November 5, we are conducting 20 online focus group sessions with a diverse cross-section of Seattle Children’s workforce to solicit input on our Health Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan (English and Spanish) and inform and prioritize our next steps. The groups are being led by an external, independent firm.
Grand Rounds: November 2021
Provider Grand Rounds
Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. Instructions on watching the live webcast are here.
