COVID-19 crisis is a catalyst for change
By Dennis Archambault
COVID-19 certainly impacted hospitals in a critical, sustained way. The capacity to care for critically ill people with the coronavirus maxed out at area hospitals, even when all elective procedures were canceled. The pandemic response continues to haunt caregivers who have endured the cumulative stress of multiple deaths and burnout.
The Detroit Free Press article, “Health care in Michigan dramatically changed because of COVID-19” https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2020/05/28/health-care-michigan-dramatically-changed-covid-19/5225066002/?utm_source=native&utm_medium=capi_retrofit&utm_content=inapp&build=native-web_i_p begs the questions, how much has the health system changed? How much more oriented is it to disaster response? How well integrated is it with public health authorities? And how committed are hospital systems to addressing chronic disease among vulnerable populations and related health disparities which have factored so prominently in the mortality statistics?
Hospital-based health systems have grown into a sophisticated industry that is adept at doing remarkable things for sick people. They demonstrated that they can respond to a massive crisis like COVID-19, at least during a relatively short period. It also showed the importance of public health measures such as the stay-at-home order for flattening the demand curve which surely would have broken the ability of hospitals to meet sustained demand.
The COVID-19 experience raises the question of how committed health systems are to create a healthier community, better prepared to endure the next crisis — especially the most vulnerable elements of the communities served. The Affordable Care Act requires hospitals to demonstrate greater effort in creating healthier communities near their facilities. Many of those facilities are surrounded by low income and vulnerable populations — particularly African Americans — who are adversely affected by the coronavirus.
Additionally, when the discussion of the “health system” is raised, how is public health integrated in the process of developing healthy communities? How can health systems and the community health components of public health departments become better integrated around chronic disease management?
Crises create opportunities for change and innovation. This crisis has created an opportunity to change the health system in a public and private sense. Whether faced with infectious disease outbreaks or natural disasters, society needs to view the health system more of an integrated, essential infrastructure – not just in response to crises, but in building healthier, more resilient communities.
Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health.