Alternative Care Sites preparedness

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For all US States and territories preparing for the arrival of patients with COVID-19, hospitals and public health agencies must ensure appropriate Alternative Care Sites (ACS) in both healthcare campus and community settings.

The goal of these assessment tools is for architects to help hospital and other public health agencies identify appropriate adaptive reuse sites such as convention centers, sports arenas, community centers, hotels, dormitories, or other spaces for occupancy during the pandemic.

ACS Assessment Brief

Qualified healthcare architects and allied professionals are in a unique position to leverage problem-solving skills to optimize safety and mitigate risk when implementing ACS. Our goal is saving lives and reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

Frontline Perspective whitepaper

This whitepaper explores design considerations to reduce risk and support staff involved in direct patient care including surgeons, physicians, specialists, nurses, therapists, and social workers, among others.

Preparedness Assessment Tool

The checklist highlights important areas to evaluate when selecting ACSs for the care and treatment of COVID-19 or surge capacity patients, including:

  • mitigating the risk of spreading of pathogens within the facility
  • maximizing preservation of life
  • identifying patients requiring investigation and isolation and transition patient(s) to the correct facility based on healthcare organization or public health authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) determinations
  • caring for a larger number of patients with varying conditions in the context of an escalating outbreak/epidemic/pandemic
  • monitoring and managing sites for 24/7 operations
  • addressing ethnic diversity and cultural competency , as well as marginalized, rural, homeless, and mental/behavioral health populations

COVID-19 project database and survey

Architects, designers, engineers and facility owners are asked to contribute COVID-19 project information to increase information sharing and to support the development of best practices for responding to pandemics.

Learn more >

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