Strategy for university emergency room management at the beginning of an epidemic using COVID-19 as an example

Abstract

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections worldwide, all hospitals are faced with the challenge associated with the pandemic. In particular, emergency rooms must prepare and implement completely new workflows. This applies in particular to patient screening and selection (triage). Close cooperation with other specialist areas such as hygiene, infectiology or virology is also necessary in order to implement appropriate treatment concepts before, during and after the diagnosis is completed. In addition, communication and quality and risk management are highly relevant in addition to the clinical aspects. This article uses COVID-19 as an example to describe how emergency rooms can prepare for a pandemic.