Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes (Feb 2021)

Addressing the Challenge of COVID-19: One Health Care Site’s Leadership Response to the Pandemic

  • Christina K. Zorn, JD,
  • Jorge M. Pascual, MD,
  • Wendelyn Bosch, MD,
  • David D. Thiel, MD,
  • Dawn Francis, MD,
  • John D. Casler, MD,
  • Aziza Nassar, MD, MPH,
  • Mark A. Parkulo, MD,
  • Ajani N. Dunn,
  • T’Nita S. Waters,
  • Christopher H. Hasse,
  • Brian Zargham, JD,
  • Tera L. Gross, DNP, RN, NEA-BC,
  • Carla J. Johnson,
  • Alice W. Rigdon,
  • Charles J. Bruce, MD,
  • Kent R. Thielen, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1
pp. 151 – 160

Abstract

Read online

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created an extremely disruptive challenge for health care leaders that required a rapid, dynamic, and innovative response. The purpose of this manuscript is to share the leadership actions and decisions at Mayo Clinic in Florida during the first 6 months of the pandemic (February to July 2020). We note 4 strategies that contributed to an effective response: (1) leverage experience with disaster preparedness and mobilize regional and national networks; (2) use surge models to anticipate and to address supply chain issues as well as practical and financial effects of the pandemic; (3) adapt creatively to establish new safety and procedural protocols in various areas for various populations; and (4) communicate timely information effectively and be the common source of truth. Mayo Clinic in Florida was able to address the surges of patients with COVID-19, to provide ongoing tertiary care, and to restore function within the first 6 months with new, strengthened practices and protocols.