Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the limited surge capacity of the healthcare system is being quickly overwhelmed. Similar scenarios play out when an institution’s systems fail, or when local or regional disasters occur. In these situations, it becomes necessary to use one or more alternative c...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
eScholarship Publishing, University of California
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Online Access: | https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1xv33521 |
| _version_ | 1818509034678910976 |
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| author | Kenneth V. Iserson |
| author_facet | Kenneth V. Iserson |
| author_sort | Kenneth V. Iserson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the limited surge capacity of the healthcare system is being quickly overwhelmed. Similar scenarios play out when an institution’s systems fail, or when local or regional disasters occur. In these situations, it becomes necessary to use one or more alternative care sites (ACS). Situated in a variety of non-healthcare structures, ACS may be used for ambulatory, acute, subacute, or chronic care. Developing alternative care facilities is the disaster-planning step that moves communities from talking to doing. This commitment pays real dividends if a disaster of any magnitude strikes. This paper discusses the basic criteria for selecting, establishing and ultimately closing an ACS, difficulties of administration, staffing, security, and providing basic supplies and equipment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T22:40:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6973b678949443e8db0ef9637cb10c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1936-9018 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T22:40:01Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | eScholarship Publishing, University of California |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6973b678949443e8db0ef9637cb10c42022-12-22T01:30:45ZengeScholarship Publishing, University of CaliforniaWestern Journal of Emergency Medicine1936-90182020-04-0121310.5811/westjem.2020.4.47552wjem-21-484Alternative Care Sites: An Option in DisastersKenneth V. IsersonDuring the current COVID-19 pandemic, the limited surge capacity of the healthcare system is being quickly overwhelmed. Similar scenarios play out when an institution’s systems fail, or when local or regional disasters occur. In these situations, it becomes necessary to use one or more alternative care sites (ACS). Situated in a variety of non-healthcare structures, ACS may be used for ambulatory, acute, subacute, or chronic care. Developing alternative care facilities is the disaster-planning step that moves communities from talking to doing. This commitment pays real dividends if a disaster of any magnitude strikes. This paper discusses the basic criteria for selecting, establishing and ultimately closing an ACS, difficulties of administration, staffing, security, and providing basic supplies and equipment.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1xv33521 |
| spellingShingle | Kenneth V. Iserson Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters Western Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| title | Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters |
| title_full | Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters |
| title_fullStr | Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters |
| title_short | Alternative Care Sites: An Option in Disasters |
| title_sort | alternative care sites an option in disasters |
| url | https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1xv33521 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kennethviserson alternativecaresitesanoptionindisasters |