Maintaining Trauma Center Operational Readiness During a Pandemic

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2021

Publication Title

American journal of disaster medicine

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a slow-moving global disaster with unique challenges for maintaining trauma center operations. University Medical Center New Orleans is the only level 1 trauma center in New Orleans, LA, which became an early hotspot for COVID-19. Intensive care unit surge capacity, addressing components including space, staff, stuff, and structure, is important in maintaining trauma center operability during a high resource-strain event like a pandemic. We report management of the trauma center's surge capacity to maintain trauma center operations while assisting in the care of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Lessons learned and recommendations are provided to assist trauma centers in planning for the influx of COVID-19 patients at their centers.

First Page

25

Last Page

34

PubMed ID

33954972

Volume

16

Issue

1

Share

COinS