As of March 25, units on level five of University Tower are being prepared to accommodate COVID-19/suspected COVID-19 patients. Patients on 5 West and the Medical Intensive Care Unit will be relocated to other locations throughout the hospital. By early next week, the entire level will be converted to negative airflow and staff will be required to utilize personal protective equipment (PPE).
In the coming days, patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) will be moved to level nine of Clarkson Tower. This also will create additional capacity for COVID-19 patients and patients under investigation for COVID-19.
“Relocating units is no small feat,” said Julie Lazure, vice president of operations. “The amount of teamwork that is being demonstrated is a testament to living our ITEACH values. This is disruptive for our patients, their families and our staff, but it is the right thing to do to ensure we are prepared should our community depend on us.”
Earlier this month, pediatric patients were relocated from level seven of University Tower, where COVID-19 patients are currently being treated. As part of our surge planning, overflow rooms also are available on level six north of University Tower.