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Conversion of a Conference Room into a Low-Acuity Inpatient Medical Unit: A Creative Response to Influenza-Related Surge.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2019 Jun 01;:
Authors: Fogerty RL, Cabie M, Doyle D, Brien P, Beley P, Jansen L, Stump L, Gaffney J, Ferencz KW, Lourenco C, Cushing W, Williams E, Marseglia J, Martinello RA, Morris V
Abstract
The 2017-2018 influenza season was associated with high demand for both emergency department (ED) care and inpatient acute care for influenza-like illness (ILI). This high demand resulted in increased numbers of inpatients and ED patients, including prolonged ED length of stay. A large, urban, academic medical center in a cold-weather region was limited in its ability to expand its footprint to create de novo locations of care, such as temporary outbuildings or tents. As such, a large conference room was rapidly converted and placed in service as a temporary inpatient unit for adults requiring inpatient admission. LOGISTICS AND IMPLEMENTATION: The logistical, infection prevention, safety, information technology, staffing, and other concerns of creating a clinical environment during a high demand scenario is challenging. However, the lessons learned in this study are reproducible despite the complexity of this issue. CONCLUSION: This is believed to be the first published account of successful conversion of a nonclinical area to an operational clinical unit in response to a surge in demand for hospital care and admission. This may be a valid option for hospitals of all sizes as part of a surge or disaster plan.
PMID: 31164262 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]