As local, regional, and statewide efforts ramp up towards preparedness for a potential increase of COVD-19 patients in need of treatment, Nashville General Hospital (NGH) remains at the forefront in the fight to combat the spread of this infectious disease.
Gov. Bill Lee has selected Nashville General Hospital to lead as a Tier 3 Alternative Care Site (ACS) for the Nashville region. The Tier 3 ACS located within Nashville General Hospital will provide care to low acuity COVID-19 patients when area hospitals have reached surge capacity.
“We recognize there is no hospital better positioned to do this work,” says Mark Brown, chief operating officer at NGH. “We are working in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Meharry Medical College, the State of Tennessee, and local administration to build out capacity.”
Senior citizens and minorities are disproportionately at a higher risk of suffering from severe complications of COVID-19 due to pre-existing health conditions and NGH remains committed (as the city’s original community hospital) to provide critical, high-quality care to the community.
The Alternative Care Site at Nashville General Hospital will not be open for members of the public seeking medical care or diagnosis. Patients will transfer directly from other area hospitals, meeting specific criteria to be accepted into the ACS. The care of these patients will be located on floors specifically designated as alternative care sites. The daily operations and services provided by NGH will be unaffected and continue at full capacity including our inpatient services, ancillary services, clinics, peri-operative services, Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department.
“The ACS leadership team is excited to partner with the regional community to increase the overall capacity of Middle TN hospitals in providing optimal medical care for not only the most critically ill patients but for all patients in the right place at the right time,” said Dr. DeAnn Bullock, Chief Medical Officer at Nashville General Hospital. While Alternative Care Sites vary widely in design and many are located outside of hospital facilities, the Middle Tenn. region ACS will be uniquely located as a care site within a hospital and its patients will benefit greatly as a result of the rapid availability of a full-service hospital should the need arise.
“Over the last six years, NGH has created a nationally recognized, evidence-based framework designed to enhance healthcare delivery by improving management, preventing complications, and improving outcomes in patients with chronic diseases,” said Dr. Joseph Webb, CEO of Nashville General Hospital. “We will continue to work with our partner, Meharry Medical College, and its President Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, who is a global leader in infectious disease research.”
