Outbreak response requires advanced staffing approaches to ensure safety and well-being of staff and patients, while limiting the spread of infectious disease.  Facility managers should identify and assign essential personnel as per operational planning.  Plans should identify tiered strategy planning and minimal risk approach.  The tiered staffing strategy for pandemic (below) will be applied and tailored according to local resources and manning.  Exact staffing plans and staffing ratios will depend on personnel, resources, and mission requirements.  Additional considerations include:

  1. Designated and/or specialized COVID-19 care team separate from combat operations.
  2. Designated runners to ancillary services to reduce donning/doffing activities and protecting PPE supplies.
  3. Assignment and training of non-medical personnel to assist as runners, computer and administrative activities (e.g., transcribing notes for records, scanning/uploading patient files, etc.), and assisting with patient registration/screening (frontline).
  4. Work/rest cycles for prolonged management of potentially overwhelming numbers of critical care patients.