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Infection Prevention Considerations for a Multi-Mission Convention Center Field Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland,
Jennifer A Jones1, Zishan K Siddiqui2, Charles Callahan3
1Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Insights
The Baltimore Convention Center field hospital (BCCFH) provided continuous care during the COVID-19 pandemic. It implemented infection prevention strategies to ensure safety for staff and patients during testing, infusions, and vaccinations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Operations
Background:
- Maryland's first COVID-19 case was identified on March 5, 2020.
- The Baltimore Convention Center was rapidly converted into a 250-bed field hospital (BCCFH).
- Unlike other facilities, BCCFH operated throughout the pandemic, expanding its services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the operational framework and infection prevention strategies at the BCCFH.
- To highlight the BCCFH's role in community COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination.
- To ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients within a pandemic field hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Established infection prevention and control guidelines.
- Utilized multi-agency collaboration for operational planning.
- Implemented an operational framework, termed PPE-ESP, to mitigate infection risks.
Main Results:
- The BCCFH successfully operated as an alternate care site throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expanded services included SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, monoclonal antibody infusions, and vaccinations.
- The implemented infection control framework effectively reduced infection risks.
Conclusions:
- The BCCFH demonstrated a sustainable model for pandemic response through continuous operation and expanded services.
- Effective infection prevention and multi-agency collaboration were crucial for safe operations.
- The PPE-ESP framework provided a structured approach to managing infection risks in a field hospital setting.
Abstract:
The state of Maryland identified its first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on March 5, 2020. The Baltimore Convention Center (BCCFH) quickly became a selected location to set up a 250-bed inpatient field hospital and alternate care site. In contrast to other field hospitals throughout the United States, the BCCFH remained open throughout the pandemic and took on additional COVID-19 missions, including community severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic testing, monoclonal antibody infusions for COVID-19 outpatients, and community COVID-19 vaccinations.To prevent the spread of pathogens during operations, infection prevention and control guidelines were essential to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Through multi-agency collaboration, use of infection prevention best practices, and answering what we describe as PPE-ESP, an operational framework was established to reduce infection risks for those providing or receiving care at the BCCFH during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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