Rapid Implementation of a Complex, Multimodal Technology Response to COVID-19 at an Integrated Community-Based Health...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an urgent, large-scale healthcare response.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread rapidly, demanding innovative solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the design and implementation of a technology-driven response to COVID-19.
• To build pandemic surge capacity through multimodal technology interventions.
• To evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of health information technology (HIT) in a pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pandemic Intervals Framework.
• Characterized the multimodal technology response across incident management, surveillance, laboratory testing, community mitigation, and medical care.
• Assessed implementation feasibility and sustainability of HIT interventions.

Main Results:

• Increased adoption of technologies to enhance healthcare surge capacity while maintaining patient safety and quality.
• Identified the need for a statewide central tracking system for coordinated capacity planning.
• Highlighted order interoperability between healthcare systems as a persistent barrier.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare IT organizations can lead pandemic responses, offering a blueprint for adaptable care delivery.
• The pandemic response demonstrated the potential for nimbler, virtual healthcare systems.
• HIT interventions are crucial for improving responsiveness to current and future health needs.