NYMC Faculty Publications
Creation of a Medical Ward from Non-Clinical Space Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic
Author Type(s)
Faculty
Journal Title
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
First Page
992
Last Page
995
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-2021
Department
Environmental Health Science
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hospitals were mandated to dramatically increase capacity during the Covid-19 crisis in New York City. Conversion of non-clinical space into medical units designated for Covid-19 patients became necessary to accommodate this mandate.
METHODS: Non-clinical space was converted into medical units at multiple campuses of a large academic hospital system over 1 week. The conversion required construction to deliver basic care including oxygen supplementation. Creation of provider workspaces, handwashing areas, and colour-coded infection control zones was prioritized. Selection criteria were created with a workflow to determine appropriate patients for transfer into converted space. Staffing of converted space shifted as hospitalizations surged.
RESULTS: The unit was open for 18 days and accommodated 170 unique patients. Five patients (2.9%) required transfer to a higher level of care. There were no respiratory arrests, cardiac arrests, or deaths in the new unit.
CONCLUSION: Converting non-clinical space to a medical unit was accomplished quickly with staffing, workflow for appropriate patients, few patients who returned to a higher level of care, and no respiratory or cardiac arrests or deaths on the unit.
Recommended Citation
Locke, C. J., Koo, B., Baron, S. W., Shapiro, J., & Pacifico, J. (2021). Creation of a Medical Ward from Non-Clinical Space Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 27 (4), 992-995. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13560
