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How to Rapidly Convert General Wards to ICUs during the COVID-19 Epidemic: Experience from Wuhan, Chin
  • +4
  • Mei He,
  • Jie Xiong,
  • Luhong Hu,
  • Sufang Huang,
  • Zhaoxia Li,
  • Chunling Guo,
  • Juan Deng
Mei He
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:hemicayue@163.com

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Jie Xiong
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Luhong Hu
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Sufang Huang
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Zhaoxia Li
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Chunling Guo
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Juan Deng
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
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Abstract

Background : Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)was surging and far outnumbered existing beds. Aims :  To describe how to rapidly convert general wards to intensive care units for critically ill patients with COVID-19. Materials & Methods :  Comprehensive assessment and analysis of available resources and standard requirements. Results : The ICUs were successfully assembled in four days. The conversion included environment reconstruction, configuration and management of equipment, information system construction and human resource allocation. A total of 172 critically ill patients had been admitted to the contemporary ICUs and none medical staff was infected. Discussion :  The epidemic situation of COVID-19 poses a great challenge to various management departments of the hospital, especially for critically ill patients with high mortality rate. To save more critically ill patients, the conversion of a general ward to a quarantine ICU ward must be completed in a short time, and the optimal allocation of resources must be appropriate to ensure that the medical team works effectively and is of high quality. In face of the overloaded medical system, the ideal non-negative pressure ward is hard to achieve. However, we have demonstrated with evidence that our conversions are effective in both providing care to the critical patients and protecting the safety of our staff. Conclusion:  The conversion is successful and the running experience would be a reference for hospitals in other areas nationally or globally.
21 Apr 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
22 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
22 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
27 Apr 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Oct 20201st Revision Received
18 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
18 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept