Denver Prevention Training Center | Surge and Shortage Management |

Notice: Resources mounted on this page may be based on outdated recommendations, or may differ from local or state guidance or rules. They are intended only for review and potential reuse by professionals in Infection Control and Prevention, in accordance with current guidance and rules in each jurisdiction.

COVID-19 has required hospitals to meet excess patient demand amidst staff and supply shortage. Some issues that particularly affect hospital ICP practice include:

Adding beds suitable for respiratory isolation in atypical locations
Increased room sharing and patient cohorting by infection status
Implementing COVID-19 environmental disinfection and air handling modifications in unusual locations
Patient care in Alternate Care locations
Conserving personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental sanitation supplies
Preparing or orienting new staff for safe isolation practices and PPE use
Relaxation of typical clinical or administrative rules (Crisis Standards of Care) to preserve and prioritize critical services
Altered leave and shifts to enhance staff availability
Altered return-to-work criteria (crisis standards of care) when permitted and required by staffing needs
Inter-organizational agreements to balance patient loads and share staff or materiel
On-boarding of new, temporary or voluntary staff including fit testing and training
Rapid identification, testing, investigation, isolation or quarantine of staff and patients with COVID-19 exposure or infection