Using Two Statewide Medical Operations Coordination Centers to Load Balance in Pediatric Hospitals During a Severe Respiratory Surge in the United Sta

Authors from Washington and Oregon describe how two MOCCs were used to manage 183 pediatric requests from hospitals unable to transfer pediatric patients between November and December 2022. Most patients had acute viral respiratory disease; those older than 13 were primarily hospitalized for intentional drug ingestions. Nearly 60% of transfers were for critically ill children; 17% originated from critical access hospitals. The use of pediatric clinical expert consultation facilitated triage and the use of MOCCs improved the transfer process overall.