Utilization of Alternate Care Sites During the COVID-19 Surge and Mass Care: California, 2020-2021.
Kate ChristensenMitch MetznerLeAnne Lovett-FloomCarol LindsayColin A MeghooKathy StaatsAsha V DevereauxErin NosteHoward D BackerPublished in: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness (2022)
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused critical hospital bed and staffing shortages in parts of California for most of 2020 and 2021. Alternate Care Sites (ACS) were established in several regions to alleviate the hospital patient surge and to maximize staffed bed capacity. Over 1900 patients were successfully provided medical care (with physician, nursing, respiratory therapy, oxygen, and pharmacy services) in relatively austere settings. This paper examines the challenges faced at these ACS facilities and how adaptations were incorporated according to the changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic to successfully manage higher acuity patients. ACS facilities were 1 approach to California's surge of COVID-19 patients, despite limited medical supplies and staffing.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- coronavirus disease
- end stage renal disease
- acute coronary syndrome
- palliative care
- quality improvement
- ejection fraction
- sars cov
- primary care
- newly diagnosed
- emergency department
- mental health
- prognostic factors
- peritoneal dialysis
- pain management
- patient reported outcomes
- chronic pain
- affordable care act
- case report
- high intensity
- bone marrow