Surge in cases at Children’s Hospital

An upsurge in ER patients this week prompted Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to implement pandemic influenza response planning to ensure adequate staffing in various departments.

"The Pandemic Influenza outbreak has arrived in the Philadelphia area," according to a memo sent to physicians today.

More than 400 children were seen in the emergency room on Tuesday, the memo said, although it was not immediately clear whether most patients had the flu or were the "worried" well.

But the hospital's intensive care units are at maximum census and medical units are nearing capacity, it said, and the surge was expected to last for at least seven to 10 days.

The purpose of the pandemic response plans is to alter staffing schedules to make sure that units such as the ER and ICU have adequate coverage.

Hospital officials did not have an immediate public comment about the plans.