A short report on an interprofessional mobilizer team: innovation and impact during the COVID-19 pandemic

The response to a pandemic crisis requires strong preparedness and an action plan that is well defined yet flexible enough to address the uncertainties that accompany an infectious disease outbreak. Interprofessional collaboration is an integral component when implementing a robust and comprehensive response to such a crisis. As the needs of our academic medical center evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Mobilizer Team used an interprofessional approach to respond to the diverse and complex needs of the organization. Team members included employees deployed from diverse departments such as Physical and Occupational Therapy, Nursing Education, Hospital Operations, and Advance Practice Providers. The team's function transitioned from ensuring compliance with infection control policy and procedure and use of personal protective equipment to ensuring a two way channel of communication between front line staff and the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) concerning testing and isolation procedures, supplies, visitor restrictions, and staff wellness issues. The Mobilizer Team members became integral contributors to the HICS and provided members of our staff outside of the COVID-19 care units an opportunity to partner with colleagues from professions they may have never worked with and the chance to contribute to the COVID-19 pandemic response.