Development of a Medium Care Unit Using an Inexperienced Respiratory Staff: Lessons Learned during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Olivier Van Hove, Alexis Gillet, Jérôme Tack, Gregory Reychler, Magda Guatteri, Asuncion Ballarin, Justine Thomas, Rolando Espinoza, Frédéric Bonnier, Michelle Norrenberg, Pauline Daniel, Michel Toussaint, Dimitri Leduc, Bruno Bonnechère and Olivier Taton
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Olivier Van Hove: Department of Physiotherapy and Pneumology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Alexis Gillet: Department of Physiotherapy and Pneumology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Jérôme Tack: Intensive Care Unit, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Gregory Reychler: Departement of Pneumology, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
Magda Guatteri: Psychology Department, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Asuncion Ballarin: Clinical Nutrition Nurse, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Justine Thomas: Clinical Nutrition Nurse, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Rolando Espinoza: Department of Physiotherapy and Pneumology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Frédéric Bonnier: Department of Physiotherapy and Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Brussels, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Michelle Norrenberg: Department of Physiotherapy and Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Brussels, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Pauline Daniel: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculté des Sciences de la Motricité, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Michel Toussaint: Centre de Référence Neuromusculaire, Department of Neurology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Dimitri Leduc: Department of Pneumology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
Bruno Bonnechère: REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Olivier Taton: Department of Pneumology, Erasme University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: The different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic issues regarding the organization of care. In this context innovative solutions have to be developed in a timely manner to adapt to the organization of the care. The establishment of middle care (MC) units is a bright example of such an adaptation. A multidisciplinary MC team, including expert and non-expert respiratory health care personnel, was developed and trained to work in a COVID-19 MC unit. Important educational resources were set up to ensure rapid and effective training of the MC team, limiting the admission or delaying transfers to ICU and ensuring optimal management of palliative care. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient data in the MC unit during the second COVID-19 wave in Belgium. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of quickly developing an effective respiratory MC unit mixing respiratory expert and non-expert members from outside ICUs. The establishment of an MC unit during a pandemic is feasible and needed. MC units possibly relieve the pressure exerted on ICUs. A highly trained multidisciplinary team is key to ensuring the success of an MC unit during such kind of a pandemic.

Keywords: intermediate care unit; middle care; education; CPAP; noninvasive ventilation; rehabilitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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