The COVID-19 centralized, coordinated, and harmonized approach of Bacolod City is now being replicated by Pagadian and Davao cities.
Retired Major General Mel Feliciano and his team who were in Bacolod City for two months to help implement interventions during the surge of COVID-19 cases in September, have arrived in Davao City recently upon the request of Mayor Sara Duterte, just days after also helping Pagadian City establish and operationalize its own EOC.
Feliciano shared the template and best practices developed by the Bacolod City EOC – Task Force to both cities.
Since the creation of the Bacolod EOC-TF by virtue of Executive Order No. 59 last September 3, a total of 15 LGUs in Negros Occidental, Capiz, and Aklan have conducted benchmarking visits and observed the sessions at the EOC and learn from the systems and procedures of the various COVID-19 clusters.
The benchmarking visits have allowed the visiting LGUs to pick up best practices that they may use in their own COVID-19 response.
Dealing with COVID is situational and our frontliners learn better ways of dealing with the challenges of the pandemic as they address them head-on.
These LGUs that have visited the Bacolod City EOC are the municipalities of Isabela, Murcia, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Manapla and E.B. Magalona; and the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, Silay, Victorias, and San Carlos, and the provinces of Capiz and Aklan.
The Bacolod City EOC Manual which contains all of its systems, processes and best practices have been utilized by Feliciano’s team as they established the data-driven, evidence-based Pagadian City EOC.
The full support of the EOC-TF has made it possible for Gen. Mel’s team to make the Pagadian City EOC operational in 15 days.
In similar fashion, Gen. Feliciano’s team will once again use the same Bacolod City EOC Manual in Davao City as it gears for a more effective COVID-19 approach.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is happy that Bacolod is sharing its best practices with other LGUs because he believes that it is a good way to improve COVID-19 responses of these LGUs.
He said we have benefited by learning from the experience of Cebu and other cities that have experienced outbreaks, while developing better ways as we tackle other emerging problems that come with the pandemic.
The Bacolod City EOC upholds the following operational principles:
Data collection straight from molecular laboratories thus emphasizing access and availability for use of real time data with a turnaround time (TAT) of 24 – 48 hours;
Data–driven approach. Using the data-driven approach enables the EOC to identify trends over time which can inform effective practices, help it become aware of issues, and illuminate possible innovations or solutions. When a “data-driven” approach is employed, it means it makes strategic decisions based on data analysis and interpretation. A data-driven approach likewise enables EOC to examine and organize their data with the goal of better serving its purpose and goals in the fight against COVID-19. In making a data-driven decision, EOC utilizes these 5 steps, namely:
(1) Look at your objectives and prioritize;
(2) Find and present relevant data;
(3) Draw conclusions from that data;
(4) Plan strategy and
(5) Measure success and repeat.
Centralized command center. Centralization refers to a set-up in which the decision-making powers are concentrated in a few leaders at the top of the organizational structure. Decisions are made at the top and communicated to cluster heads and members for implementation. The EOC maintains its authority by virtue of Executive Order No. 59. Decentralized Execution of various clusters thus allowing data – driven actions or evidenced based strategies.
Daily huddle – 100% focus. EOC meetings conducted every day so that the entire team can get informed and aligned on the work that needs to be done. Whether it’s sharing daily reports, accomplishments, problems, challenges and progress toward goals or reasons behind EOC decisions, this meeting unifies team members by keeping everyone informed and involved.
Beyond this, it gives team members a sense of purpose by discussing progress toward goals and celebrating accomplishments. Proper assessment of patients and analysis of cases. A typical example if this principle happens daily with the CTOC. Every afternoon, a huddle shall take place where sources of infection shall be discussed by the CTOC Leads, four (4) Cluster Leaders and the Cluster Physicians using the Form 5 (Contact Tracing Reporting Template). Should there be an immediate concern on workplaces and healthcare facilities, the CTOC Leads shall coordinate with the Business Processing and Licensing Office and City Health Office respectively. Assessment of patients that provides us data for analysis which serves as basis for concrete actions, strategies, policies and dialogues among stakeholders.
Collection of line list from ERs. Since EOC is data driven, Linelist are given of importance at all sources. Our suspects, probables and confirmed cases list at the emergency room are obtained on real time. Such is a product of the integrated, collective efforts of the Health Coordinating Council that gave birth to the ONE HOSPITAL COMMAND CENTER.
Referral system. EOC utilizes a referral system to facilitate a comprehensive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring effective and efficient health facility referral. It ultimately reduces the waiting time of patients by referring them to the appropriate health facility that could best provide for the level of care they require. It also facilitates medical transport and patient pick-up arrangements, provide health system capacity data analytics and risk communications, and optimize the use of critical care services of every hospital in the area. Through the provision of critical services such as 24/7 coordination of our various health facilities, data analytics, communication, transportation, and other unified network mechanisms and interventions, EOC strengthen our health system capacity and prevent our hospitals and health care workers in Bacolod City from being overwhelmed. EOC have been maximizing referral system at the barangay levels, cluster clinics, midway referral center and to the ONE HOSPITAL COMMAND CENTER.
Shared data concept. Shared data is a set amount of data shared by multiple people on a single plan. At the EOC, these shared data originate from the Data Management Cluster and shared to the different cluster for their appropriate action. Data sharing encourages more connection and collaboration between EOC cluster, which can result in a more coordinated and collaborative approach in the fight against Covid – 19.
(News & photo courtesy of Bacolod City Provincial Information Office)