Design and Impact of a COVID-19 Multidisciplinary Bundled Procedure Team

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has placed unprecedented strain on the healthcare system in the United States and worldwide. The resultant surge of patients with COVID-19 has presented hospitals with unique challenges with respect to infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, capacity, staffing, and triage. Intensive care unit (ICU) teams have increased their surge capacity, often in unfamiliar and geographically distant locations, to ensure care for the critically illCOVID-19 patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic support. Here, we share the design, creation, and preliminary outcomes of a streamlined multidisciplinary procedure team at our institution: The COVID-19 Bundled Response for Access (COBRA) team. The COBRA team has played a vital role in the management of the critical care surge at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and we believe that sharing our experience in a timely manner will assist other institutions worldwide in managing their COVID-19 critical care surge.