Pandemic Care Through Collaboration: Lessons From a COVID-19 Field Hospital

  • Amy W. Baughman
  • , Ronald E. Hirschberg
  • , Larissa J. Lucas
  • , Elliot D. Suarez
  • , Deanna Stockmann
  • , Stacy Hutton Johnson
  • , Matthew M. Hutter
  • , Deborah J. Murphy
  • , Regan H. Marsh
  • , Ryan W. Thompson
  • , Giles W. Boland
  • , Jeanette Ives Erickson
  • , Kerri Palamara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

During the surge of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in March and April 2020, many skilled-nursing facilities in the Boston area closed to COVID-19 post-acute admissions because of infection control concerns and staffing shortages. Local government and health care leaders collaborated to establish a 1000-bed field hospital for patients with COVID-19, with 500 respite beds for the undomiciled and 500 post-acute care (PAC) beds within 9 days. The PAC hospital provided care for 394 patients over 7 weeks, from April 10 to June 2, 2020. In this report, we describe our implementation strategy, including organization structure, admissions criteria, and clinical services. Partnership with government, military, and local health care organizations was essential for logistical and medical support. In addition, dynamic workflows necessitated clear communication pathways, clinical operations expertise, and highly adaptable staff.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1563-1567
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association
Volume21
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • alternative care site (ACS)
  • Boston Hope
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • field hospital
  • post-acute care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing
  • Health Policy
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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