TY - JOUR T1 - Experience of using a regional network of hospitals in the care of older inpatients with COVID-19 in spring 2020 JF - Future Healthcare Journal JO - Future Healthc J SP - 45 LP - 50 DO - 10.7861/fhj.2021-0104 VL - 9 IS - 1 AU - Neethu Billy Graham Mariam AU - Victoria Dunnett-Kane AU - M Trent Herdman AU - Tim Seers AU - Daniel Aldcroft AU - Sooria Balasegaram AU - Rebecca Davenport AU - Anthony Redmond AU - Cassandra Ng AU - Lauren Wentworth Y1 - 2022/03/01 UR - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/9/1/45.abstract N2 - Introduction Frail, older patients with COVID-19 have an increased risk of hospital admission and death.Methods We studied a regional model of care used for older patients with COVID-19 in spring 2020 across three settings: an acute teaching hospital, a district general hospital and a temporary emergency hospital. We also studied demographic and outcome data for these patients.Results Increasing bed capacity in non-acute sites freed up beds in acute hospitals. Strict admission criteria and multidisciplinary team involvement allowed for the safe delivery of care in step-down sites.Conclusion This model of care allowed for patient flow out of acute sites following the acute stage of their illness allowing for an increase in bed capacity while providing a safe setting for ongoing management. ER -