Children’s Hospital Colorado reports RSV crush “like nothing we’ve ever seen,” sets up tent to handle ER overflow

Fewer than five beds are available statewide for children who need intensive care as Colorado’s pediatric hospitals face what they called an unprecedented surge largely fueled by respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Dr. Kevin Carney, associate chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital Colorado, said they’ve set up a tent outside to care for less-severely ill kids when the emergency department is full; diverted children with less-complicated conditions to adult hospitals; put off some nonemergency procedures; converted flexible space to accommodate more beds; and hired short-term staff to help manage the volume of patients.

“It’s truly like nothing we’ve ever seen,” he said.

The biggest factor is RSV, which typically causes colds but can be severe in young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, Carney said. Not all Colorado hospitals report how many patients have RSV, but those in the Denver area told the state they’ve treated 525 children and 29 adults for it so far this fall.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Hospital Association announced that the hospitals had agreed to reactivate the transfer center that helped match patients to beds during the worst points of the pandemic. The center was deactivated in March.

Not all hospitals have the equipment and expertise to treat critically ill children, but they have agreed not to transfer those they can safely care for, such as teens with relatively straightforward conditions, said Scott Bookman, director of the division of disease control and public health response at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Over the last week, the state has had between zero and five beds open for children who need intensive care, he said, with three available Tuesday.

Carney implored anyone who feels sick to stay home, and asked families to consider limiting activities where they might be exposed until the need for hospital beds is closer to normal. Other steps to prevent RSV infections include washing your hands, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, wearing a well-fitting mask and avoiding touching your face.

“We certainly support everyone taking as many precautions as possible,” he said. “We’ll appreciate all the help we can get from our community.”

The hospital can still handle children who need emergency care, Carney said. Parents who aren’t sure if they can manage their child’s illness at home should call their pediatrician or Children’s triage line, he said.

State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy said it’s unusual to see this many RSV hospitalizations, especially this early in the season. There are about six hospitalizations for every 100,000 people, compared to four per 100,000 at the worst point of last year’s RSV season. It’s not clear why the virus is spreading months before it normally would, she said.