COVID-19 in a community hospital

Semin Perinatol. 2020 Oct;44(6):151292. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2020.151292. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Abstract

The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe quickly and drastically changed the way we practice medicine. In order to respond to its effects, careful planning and implementation of new guidelines and protocols was crucial to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. Given the limitations of space, staff, and resources in the community hospitals, a centralized command center, robust lines of communication within the department and between departments, and contingency and surge planning in this setting were critical. This chapter focuses on the unique challenges of practicing within a Level II hospital during a global pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / organization & administration
  • Female
  • Health Plan Implementation
  • Health Planning Guidelines
  • Hospitals, Community / methods*
  • Hospitals, Community / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Information Dissemination
  • Interdepartmental Relations
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Pandemics*
  • Personal Protective Equipment / supply & distribution
  • Pregnancy
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Surge Capacity