Converting an under-construction healthcare facility into a COVID 19 Screening & Emergency Response Centre during complete lockdown in India.

In view of COVID 19 surge, the construction of Burns & Plastic Surgery Block at AIIMS New Delhi was expedited at war footing level and convert it into a COVID 19 Emergency response Centre (ERC). Engineering works were completed in a speedy manner and various patient care areas were equipped as deemed necessary for providing tertiary care to COVID 19 patients. Highly spirited team comprised of Emergency Medicine Specialists, Anesthesia & Critical Care specialist, Hospital Administrators and Nursing Officers. Effective segregation of patient care areas into clean, contaminated, and intermediate zone was done using physical barriers and air conditioning modifications. Screening area for COVID 19 suspect patients was created and was a two-step process i.e., Triage 1 & Triage 2. Thereafter, patients requiring admission would be referred to emergency area. An inhouse designed and fabricated sampling booth was created to bring down use of PPEs and for better infection control. ERC has general ward and state of the art intensive care units. Mobilizing resources (machinery, manpower, consumables etc.) during the lockdown required commitment from top leadership, motivated team, expeditious procurement, coordination with multiple agencies working on site, expediting statutory clearances, coordination with police services, transportation of labor etc.