TABLE 2.

Obstacles to Implementing the COVID C‐TraC Program

Obstacle	Response
Immediate need for intensive surveillance and management of outpatients with COVID‐19	Repurpose experienced RNs with phone‐based protocols and case‐management infrastructure
Difficulty assessing severity of pulmonary symptoms and dehydration remotely	Overnight mailing of fingertip oximeters Video visits to visualise patients
Rapid clinical decompensation	Call patients 2–3 times daily at peak of symptoms if clinical concern or if O2 sat <94 Call ED to discuss case if O2 sat <92 Refer to ED immediately if O2 sat 90 or less
Lack of typical symptoms in older adults	Update note templates to include assessment of functional decline
Increased patient volume	Offload rapid reporting of negative results to Primary Care Identified primary care RNs with appropriate experience and trained them and supervising PCPs in COVID‐19 protocol
Need to address social and mental health issues	Added social worker and psychologist to multidisciplinary team
Need to optimise communication of a complex team	Daily morning huddle of COVID‐19 outpatient team
Need for flexible, long‐term programme post‐surge	Disseminate training and protocol to individual RN‐PCP teams