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. 2020 Aug;24(8):1852-1859.
doi: 10.1007/s11605-020-04608-4. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Redesigning a Department of Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stacy A Brethauer  1 , Benjamin K Poulose  1 , Bradley J Needleman  1 , Carrie Sims  1 , Mark Arnold  1 , Kenneth Washburn  1 , Allan Tsung  1 , Nahush Mokadam  1 , Timur Sarac  1 , Robert Merritt  1 , Timothy M Pawlik  2   3
Affiliations

Redesigning a Department of Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stacy A Brethauer et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has created an urgent need for reorganization and surge planning among departments of surgery across the USA.

Methods: Review of the COVID-19 planning process and work products in preparation for a patient surge. Organizational and process changes, workflow redesign, and communication plans are presented.

Results: The planning process included widespread collaboration among leadership from many disciplines. The department of surgery played a leading role in establishing clinical protocols, guidelines, and policies in preparation for a surge of COVID-19 patients. A multidisciplinary approach with input from clinical and nonclinical stakeholders is critical to successful crisis planning. A clear communication plan should be implemented early and input from trainees, staff, and faculty should be solicited.

Conclusion: Major departmental and health system reorganization is required to adapt academic surgical practices to a widespread crisis. Surgical leadership, innovation, and flexibility are critical to successful planning and implementation.

Keywords: COVID-19; Communication; Leadership; Planning; Surge; Surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Brethauer receives consulting fees from GI Windows and speaking honoraria from Medtronic. Dr. Poulose receives research support from BD Interventional and Advanced Medical Solutions and salary support from Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative; Dr. Needleman has no conflicts of interest; Dr. Pawlik has no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of COVID-19 pre-surge planning
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Surge prediction for the Ohio State University. OSUWMC, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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