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
Recommended Citation
Cavalea, Alexander C.; McGoey, Robin; Schroll, Rebecca W.; McGrew, Patrick R.; Schoen, Jonathan E.; Stuke, Lance E.; Guidry, Chrissy; Marr, Alan B.; Duchesne, Juan C.; and Hunt, John P., "Maintaining Trauma Center Operational Readiness During a Pandemic" (2021). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 245.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/245
10.5055/ajdm.2021.0383