The COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the globe, with an alarming amount of new cases daily. In order to prepare for the inevitable patient surge, one hospital set up outdoor triage tents to assist with increased volume. Using the paradigm of space, staff, and stuff, an outdoor treatment area was designed and placed into operation. The patient volume in the treatment tents quickly grew with a one-day max volume of 88 patients. Through the end of May 2020, 2,473 patients were seen and evaluated. As COVID-19 continues to spread and new areas of the United States and the world see spikes, it is imperative for the hospitals that previously dealt with a surge to disseminate the best practices they have learned during the pandemic.
The Deployment and Operation of Outdoor Treatment Tents During the COVID-19 Pandemic