Open AccessManagement of the Clinical and Academic Mission in an Urban Otolaryngology Department During the COVID‐19 Global Crisis
Author(s) -
Batra Pete S.,
LoSavio Phillip S.,
Michaelides Elias,
Revenaugh Peter C.,
Tajudeen Bobby A.,
Alkhudari Samer,
Husain Inna,
Papagiannopoulos Peter,
Smith Ryan,
Stenson Kerstin M.,
Wiet R. Mark
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599820929613
Subject(s) - otorhinolaryngology , medicine , workforce , telehealth , context (archaeology) , crisis management , health care , telemedicine , pandemic , medical emergency , nursing , medical education , covid-19 , political science , surgery , disease , paleontology , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law , biology
Objective The objective of this study was to assess the strategic changes implemented in the departmental mission to continue safe delivery of otolaryngology care and to support the broader institutional mission during the COVID‐19 pandemic response. Study Design Retrospective assessment was performed to the response and management strategy developed to transform the clinical and academic enterprise. Setting Large urban tertiary care referral center. Results The departmental structure was reorganized along new clinical teams to effectively meet the system directives for provision of otolaryngology care and support for inpatient cases of COVID‐19. A surge deployment schedule was developed to assist frontline colleagues with clinical support as needed. Outpatient otolaryngology was consolidated across the system with conversion of the majority of visits to telehealth. Operative procedures were prioritized to ensure throughput for emergent and time‐critical urgent procedures. A tracheostomy protocol was developed to guide management of emergent and elective airways. Educational and research efforts were redirected to focus on otolaryngology care in the clinical context of the COVID‐19 crisis. Conclusion Emergence of the COVID‐19 global health crisis has challenged delivery of otolaryngology care in an unparalleled manner. The concerns for preserving health of the workforce while ethically addressing patient career needs in a timely manner has created significant dilemmas. A proactive, thoughtful approach that reorganizes the overall departmental effort through provider and staff engagement can facilitate the ability to meet the needs of otolaryngology patients and to support the greater institutional mission to combat the pandemic.