Maintaining trauma center operational readiness during a pandemic

Authors

  • Alexander C. Cavalea, MD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5466-8725
  • Robin McGoey, MSGC, MD
  • Rebecca W. Schroll, MD, FACS
  • Patrick R. McGrew, MD
  • Jonathan E. Schoen, MD, MPH
  • Lance E. Stuke, MD, MPH, FACS
  • Chrissy Guidry, DO, FACS
  • Alan B. Marr, MD, FACS
  • Juan C. Duchesne, MD, FACS
  • John P. Hunt, MD, MPH, FACS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2021.0383

Keywords:

trauma center readiness, COVID-19, pandemic, surge capacity, disaster, coronavirus

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.

Author Biographies

Alexander C. Cavalea, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee

Robin McGoey, MSGC, MD

Associate Professor of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana

Rebecca W. Schroll, MD, FACS

Associate Professor of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

Patrick R. McGrew, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

Jonathan E. Schoen, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Lance E. Stuke, MD, MPH, FACS

Associate Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Chrissy Guidry, DO, FACS

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

Alan B. Marr, MD, FACS

Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Juan C. Duchesne, MD, FACS

Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

John P. Hunt, MD, MPH, FACS

Professor of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Published

01/01/2021

How to Cite

Cavalea, MD, A. C., R. McGoey, MSGC, MD, R. W. Schroll, MD, FACS, P. R. McGrew, MD, J. E. Schoen, MD, MPH, L. E. Stuke, MD, MPH, FACS, C. Guidry, DO, FACS, A. B. Marr, MD, FACS, J. C. Duchesne, MD, FACS, and J. P. Hunt, MD, MPH, FACS. “Maintaining Trauma Center Operational Readiness During a Pandemic”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 16, no. 1, Jan. 2021, pp. 25-34, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2021.0383.

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2021): Winter

Section

Articles

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