The need for a Hospital:ity Playbook

This is the image we've come to take for granted. Its message: flatten the curve to ensure our healthcare system capacity is not overwhelmed.

But if we factor in the likely escalation in the number of cases worldwide, a different picture emerges.

Which creates an imperative for immediate and decisive action to expand our healthcare capacity by 5-7 times in heavily affected locations.

Now, I believe the hospitality sector has both the means and the motive to contribute directly to the effort of urgent capacity building.

• We have space which requires minimal adaptation to provide an intermediate place between home and hospital. The alternative in many locations is to shut down operations.
• We have a workforce which might be upskilled to provide minimal effective care for non-critical cases [important caveats apply here; I'm not suggesting patients receive medical care from cooks and cleaners!]. The alternative for many operators is massive layoffs.
• While we lack the skills and supplies necessary to care for severe cases, we can reduce pressure on hospitals by providing a stage of action for temporarily recruited frontline fighters (e.g. medical students, veterans, etc.)

The impetus, direction and financial wherewithal might come from an alliance between Public Health Authorities and Tourism Authorities.

But effective execution depends on the creation and implementation of a Hospital:ity Playbook consisting of globally applicable universal standards. And if we get it right, this playbook can become a protocol for shared action in future healthcare crises situations.

Do you know of instances where this is already happening in the world?

Please share with me what you know, either here or in a direct message. Your knowledge might contribute to the creation of a first draft of the Hospital:ity Playbook and I would be very interested to collaborate with you on this topic.