The coronavirus pandemic has left its imprint in all sorts of industries – especially healthcare. During this time, it’s important to support healthcare workers, and now we can – with temporary structures.
Life has been turned upside down for so many of us in recent months, especially those on the front line. Every one of these medical professionals is at the forefront of fighting the deadly virus. They truly are our essential workers and our heroes.
As communities across the country begin moving through the recommended reopening phases, we often forget that hospitals (and other healthcare facilities) are still in the fight. They have been open this entire time and still need to be at the top of their game.
The Benefits of Temporary Structures for Healthcare Workers
While concerns rise about social distancing and keeping everyone safe, accommodations need to be made for doctors, nurses, EMTs, and other medical professionals to get jobs done while maintaining the healthiest environment for everyone involved.
Those who oversee the medical facilities and such in the healthcare industry have made good use of all resources available – including temporary structures. Let’s take a look at 7 ways in which temporary structures can benefits healthcare workers.
Benefit #1: Create Additional Space
One of the most famous phrases that 2020 is going to be known for years from now is social distancing. The CDC and medical experts have advised time and time again that remaining distant from others are crucial to protect one’s health.
So, when you have a facility that seems to be of great demand – such as hospitals, doctor offices, urgent care centers – how do you maintain social distance and still meet the need? After all, we have heard quite often that those in hotspot areas have hospitals that are at full capacity. Some even overflowing! How can you keep your distance while still handling the influx?
Temporary structures benefit medical facilities by creating additional space. Whether they are to be used for things such as break rooms for overworked medical professionals, additional space for patients or something else doesn’t matter. What matters is that when our frontline workers need more space, they can get it from a temporary tent structure.
Benefit #2: Ability to Follow the Need
Hospitals are spread out through our country. Sometimes, though, when a situation arises – such as COVID clusters – hospitals are needed greatly in specific communities. Whether their hospitals can’t meet capacity or they need one closer to the people, temporary structures can follow the need. Healthcare professionals can get to the sickest quickly.
Benefit #3: Maintain the Health and Safety of Patients
Just as social distancing is necessary for everyone in our medical facilities, this is going to include the patients. You simply cannot mix COVID-19 diagnosed or exposed individuals with those who are simply there for other health-related issues.
There has been a lot of talk about individuals becoming more ill because they were afraid to go to the ER due to cardiovascular issues or other emergency medical concerns. Many have even talked themselves out of it. Why? Because those with COVID-19 are in ERs and who wants to risk getting exposed? Understandable, but costly. A decision to avoid seeking medical treatment could cost a life.
To combat this issue, hospitals have turned to temporary structures to allow for these individuals to get checked out while reducing the chance of contracting the virus. In addition, healthcare workers who are at greater risk can often choose to handle these less-risky patients. It’s a win for everyone involved.
Benefit #4: All Necessary Professional Requirements are Met
Hospitals and medical facilities have certain needs. They need to have sanitary conditions, stable flooring, proper lighting, and so on. With temporary structures, all requirements can be met – and all customizations can be made. In fact, the space itself can be created as equivalent to that of their brick and mortar facility.
Benefit #5: Provide an Area for Storage
Along with social distancing, PPE is going to also be a term from 2020 that will go down in history. There is a good chance that just 9 months ago, nobody even knew what the acronym stood for. Little did we know that this personal protection equipment was going to be the talk of many debates.
This equipment is what keeps our healthcare workers safe when they show up to do what they were trained to do. Things like masks, shields, gowns, and suits allow them to treat highly contagious patients without risking their own lives – or the lives of their co-workers or loved ones.
Unfortunately, when this pandemic hit, PPE was hard to come by. Since then, hospitals have been increasing their stock. They need to be ready if there is a resurgence. But, with hospitals so full, where can they stock this surplus?
Healthcare professionals have discovered that temporary structures can be used as storage areas for things such as PPE and other medical equipment. That way, when the time comes, they are prepared to keep workers safe.
Benefit #6: Ensuring Safety for All with Patient Screening
One of the best ways to reduce the spread of the coronavirus – and reduce the chance that it is unknowingly spread throughout a facility – is to require patient screening. Of course, having this take place within the hospital or medical office seems like a terrible idea. You don’t want the potentially infected person to even walk in that front door.
By setting up temporary structures, healthcare workers can rest easy knowing that they will have a heads up when someone who does present with symptoms arrives.
Benefit #7: Time is Always of the Essence – Especially Concerning Life
Finally, life is precious. And healthcare workers strive to preserve it. But they can’t do anything to stop time. Therefore, if a temporary structure can be used in any way to make their job a bit more functional and safer, then it can provide benefits. These structures allow healthcare workers to focus on what they do best – save lives.
Final Thought
Experts warn that we haven’t seen the end of the coronavirus pandemic just yet. Thankfully, we are finding ways to help those at the heart of the fight – the healthcare workers – by utilizing temporary structures.
