Planning for reactivation of ambulatory care settings post-COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

Abstract

In response to COVID-19 pandemic social distancing restrictions, ambulatory care settings have largely transitioned to virtual health care delivery. As local, state, and federal officials discuss timelines for these restrictions to be lifted, ambulatory leadership is tasked with the responsibility of developing reactivation plans for its clinics to resume in-person care. This article discusses a method in which ambulatory leadership can determine the clinic's deficit in patient encounters, set a time period to return to normal operations, planning for space and scheduling changes, balancing in-person virtual visits, and thoughtfully communicating these plans to clinic staff and providers.