Abstract
In this special feature of Health Security, we present a compendium of 7 commentaries by authors from New York City Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) describing their experience with the first surge of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) cases to hit the United States. NYC H + H is the nation's largest municipal health system, with over 40,000 employees providing care in 11 acute care hospitals, 5 post-acute care facilities, many ambulatory care centers, and correctional health services. During March and April 2020, New York City was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. With a peak of nearly 11,000 new confirmed cases per day on April 9, it bore the brunt of the US pandemic response. These commentaries illustrate and document the many lessons learned during this arduous and, at times, desperate effort to save lives and maintain a functioning health system.
We have worked with NYC H + H to release these valuable commentaries quickly while we are still in the midst of the pandemic, so that other cities and hospitals in the United States and elsewhere can learn from NYC H+H's hard-learned lessons. The commentaries cover activities from a wide spectrum of departments, programs, and activities within the health system, including the emergency department, special pathogen program, quality and wellness offices, palliative care, emergency management, and community care division. The commentaries describe many innovative projects, such as using isolation hotels, working with the military to combat acute psychological stress in healthcare workers, and providing palliative care remotely.
New York City has been challenged many times in recent years (eg, 9/11, Hurricane Sandy), but never before has the healthcare system been so profoundly tested. We applaud the valiant and often heroic efforts of the New York City healthcare workers during this pandemic. It is our hope that by providing this rapid-cycle special feature we can give our readers valuable insights into how to better prepare their own hospital, city, or organization for the COVID-19 pandemic and future health crises.