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Adapting to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in New York City
Miguel X Escalon1, Joseph Herrera
1From the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
Insights
Physical medicine and rehabilitation departments adapted to the overwhelming coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in New York City. This experience offers insights for other departments facing similar public health emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
- New York City experienced a rapid and severe outbreak, overwhelming medical facilities and necessitating rapid adaptation.
- Existing healthcare structures and departmental roles were significantly tested by the pandemic's high mortality rates and swift progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To share the experiences and lessons learned by a physical medicine and rehabilitation department during the COVID-19 crisis in New York City.
- To provide guidance and identify potential areas for growth for other physical medicine and rehabilitation departments responding to public health emergencies.
- To highlight the adaptability and evolving role of rehabilitation services in pandemic response.
Main Methods:
- Real-time adaptation and learning within a large hospital system's physical medicine and rehabilitation department.
- Qualitative reflection on challenges, innovations, and operational adjustments during the pandemic.
- Documenting departmental responses to patient care, resource allocation, and evolving clinical needs.
Main Results:
- Departments had to rapidly learn and adapt to manage the surge of critically ill patients.
- Mortality rates exceeded initial forecasts, demanding immediate changes in care protocols and resource management.
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation departments identified new roles and opportunities for growth in crisis situations.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for flexibility and innovation within physical medicine and rehabilitation departments.
- Lessons learned during the crisis can inform future pandemic preparedness and response strategies for rehabilitation services.
- Proactive adaptation and identification of growth areas are essential for departments to effectively contribute during public health emergencies.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 has and continues to overwhelm the medical establishment in New York City. It has moved faster and had rates of mortality higher than what were initially forecast. All departments within large hospital systems have had to learn lessons and adapt in real time to the crisis. We share our experience and what we have learned as it pertains to this pandemic and hope that it aides, guides, and influences other departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation regarding their potential roles and areas of growth during this time.
