The Minnesota Medical Operations Coordination Center (MOCC): A COVID-19 statewide response to ensure access to critical care and medical-surgical beds

Chest. 2023 Aug 17:S0012-3692(23)05277-7. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.08.016. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: COVID-19 led to unprecedented inpatient capacity challenges particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), which spurred development of statewide or regional placement centers for coordinating transfer (load balancing) of adult patients needing intensive care to hospitals with remaining capacity.RESEARCH QUESTION: Do Medical Operations Coordination Centers (MOCC) augment patient placement during times of severe capacity challenges?STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The Minnesota MOCC was established with focus on transfer of adult ICU and med-surg patients; trauma, cardiac, stroke, burn, and ECMO were excluded. The center operated within one healthcare system's bed management center, utilizing a dedicated 24/7 phone number. Major healthcare systems statewide and two tertiary centers in a neighboring state participated, sharing information on system status, challenges, and strategies. Patient volumes and transfer data were tracked; client satisfaction was evaluated through an anonymous survey.RESULTS: From August 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022 a total of 5307 requests were made, 2008 beds identified, 1316 requests canceled, and 1981 requests were unable to be fulfilled. 1715 patients had COVID-19 (32.3%), 2473 COVID-19 negative or low risk (46.6%), and 1119 COVID-19 status was unknown (21.1%); 760 were patients on ventilators (49.1% COVID-19 positive). C4 placed most pati...
Source: Chest - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research