Overview
Hospitals and health systems across the Commonwealth have been developing and implementing strategies, both internal and in regional collaboration, to augment capacity to respond to COVID-19. HAP has heard questions from members about how those efforts align with work by the state to plan for and stand-up Alternate Care Sites (ACS).
Please join a call on Thursday, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. to receive a briefing and have an opportunity to ask questions about the state’s planning process.
Kristin Faust, the staff leader for the state’s Alternate Care Site Task Force, comprised of Department of Health and PEMA staff, will provide context and information about the state ACS planning to date and expectations for the coming weeks. Michael Whalen, of HAP’s emergency preparedness team, has served as an expert advisor to the state and will also participate on the briefing.
PEMA, in partnership with the Department of Health, has been considering various avenues to support additional capacity to care. During March, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requested and received two Federal Medical Stations (FMS) which were established in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Additionally, a variety of sites and facilities across the state were catalogued and evaluated as potential sites, including state universities, large venues, and shuttered hospitals.
Feedback via regional planning has identified supplies and staffing as major considerations that must be addressed to fulfill the goal of best leveraging capacity in Pennsylvania.
This call is complimentary for HAP members. Registration is required.