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Infection Prevention Considerations for a Multi-Mission Convention Center Field Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2021

Jennifer A. Jones ,
Zishan K. Siddiqui ,
Charles Callahan ,
Surbhi Leekha ,
Sharon Smyth ,
Michael Anne Preas ,
James R. Ficke ,
Marie Kristine F. Cabunoc ,
Melinda E. Kantsiper  and
the CONQUER COVID Consortium
Jennifer A. Jones*
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Zishan K. Siddiqui
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Charles Callahan
Affiliation:
Department of Population Health, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Surbhi Leekha
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Sharon Smyth
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Michael Anne Preas
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
James R. Ficke
Affiliation:
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Marie Kristine F. Cabunoc
Affiliation:
Department of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Melinda E. Kantsiper
Affiliation:
Division of Hospital Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
*
Corresponding author: Jennifer A. Jones, Email: jenniferajones18@gmail.com
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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.

Keywords

emergency preparednessfield hospitalsinfection controlinfectious disease transmissionpandemics
Type
Concepts in Disaster Medicine
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 6 , December 2022 , pp. 2643 - 2650
Copyright
© Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2021

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