Implementation of COVID-19 Provider Resource Taskforce – A provider support initiative during emergency preparedness in a quaternary center in West Michigan

• Published in: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology p. 1
• Main Authors: Moorthy, Vetriselvi, Bhugra, Mudita, Behenna, Curtis, Manivannan Veerasamy, Harrison, Michael, Sullivan, Liam, Lampen, Russell, Hassouna, Habiba, de Sanctis, Jorgelina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 08.10.2020
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.1247

Objective: COVID-19 has placed an immense pressure on the healthcare systems across the world regarding development of protocols and initiatives to mitigate the spread. Clinicians are coping with enormous challenges to their professional commitment and the need to support them has risen more than ever during these unprecedented times. Design: We describe a support initiative implemented by Spectrum Health, a quaternary center in West Michigan to support providers across the community. COVID-19 Provider resource support tool helped clinicians across multiple other systems in the region with real time information about COVID-19. Method: A COVID-19 provider resource workgroup was created with 18 physicians who volunteered to receive calls and emails from providers across the region over 8 weeks. The group aimed to be the real-time COVID-19 resource while clinicians are facing the pandemic in an ever-changing environment. Conclusion: Providers have not faltered to embrace new responsibilities, implementing protocols and coaching their colleagues in response to COVID-19. Support initiatives like these while essential to maintain psychosocial health of the clinicians also reveals the true strength of professionalism amidst the pandemic.