Discover the Wonders: Coral and Nemo Revealed

Discover the Wonders: Coral and Nemo Revealed

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What is CORAL?
3. Development of CORAL
4. How CORAL is used in the outpatient setting
5. Resolving COVID status in ambulatory care
6. Other infection statuses and the use of .CORAL
7. Availability of CORAL for different healthcare professionals
8. Impact of CORAL on reducing workload
9. Acknowledgments
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss CORAL, the COVID risk calculator tool developed by the Infection Control Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. We will explore what CORAL is, how it was developed, and its various applications in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. Additionally, we will delve into how CORAL helps resolve COVID status in ambulatory care and how it simplifies the management of other infection statuses. Furthermore, we will address the availability of CORAL for different healthcare professionals and the impact it has had on reducing workload. Finally, we will express our gratitude to the individuals who contributed to the creation and implementation of CORAL.

What is CORAL?

CORAL stands for COVID risk calculator and is a tool developed by the Infection Control Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. It is a risk calculator tool that utilizes epidemiology, symptoms, and other diagnostics to help healthcare professionals work up patients who may have COVID. CORAL not only resolves the risk but also guides clinicians through the workup process.

Development of CORAL

CORAL was developed during the surge of COVID cases in collaboration with eCare. The tool was created using an acronym generator and was later refined with the assistance of pediatric ID colleagues, resulting in a pediatric version called NEMO. CORAL has been in use at Massachusetts General Hospital since May 20th and has undergone continuous improvements to streamline its functionality for frontline clinicians.

How CORAL is used in the outpatient setting

In the outpatient setting, CORAL serves two primary purposes. Firstly, it aids in the resolution of COVID status for patients who have exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID and received a negative test result. The tool allows clinicians to document the patient's information and, based on the provided data, determine whether further workup is necessary or if the patient's COVID risk can be resolved. Secondly, CORAL is used to manage other infection statuses, such as patients with a diagnosis of COVID or those who meet the criteria for resolution. The tool provides decision support and allows for routing of the note to infection control if necessary.

Resolving COVID status in ambulatory care

By using CORAL, clinicians can efficiently resolve the COVID status of patients in ambulatory care. This eliminates the need to wonder or speculate when triaging patients and ensures that appropriate care is provided. The resolution of COVID status also helps determine whether patients can receive ambulatory care in a regular setting or if they require specialized care in the Respiratory Illness Clinic (RACC).

Other infection statuses and the use of .CORAL

Beyond resolving COVID status, CORAL assists in managing other infection statuses. For example, patients with a diagnosis of COVID or those who meet the criteria for resolution are aided by the tool through a similar process of documenting information and determining the next steps. However, unlike resolving COVID status, these cases require additional review by infection control before final resolution.

Availability of CORAL for different healthcare professionals

CORAL is available to healthcare professionals across the ambulatory setting, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff. The tool is designed to be user-friendly and has already shown a reduction in requests for reviewing COVID risk through the In Basket system. The widespread availability of CORAL ensures that all members of the healthcare team can efficiently manage COVID-related cases.

Impact of CORAL on reducing workload

Since the implementation of CORAL, the workload on healthcare professionals has been significantly reduced. The tool streamlines the process of resolving COVID and other infection statuses, providing decision support and eliminating the need for extensive back-and-forth communication. As a result, frontline clinicians can focus on providing quality care to their patients without being overwhelmed by administrative tasks.

Acknowledgments

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Erica Shenoy, the associate chief of Infection Control, for her dedication and expertise in keeping healthcare workers and patients safe. We also acknowledge the tireless efforts of the entire Infectious Disease and Infection Control team at Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as the creators and developers of CORAL and NEMO. Their contributions have been essential in improving the management of COVID cases and reducing the workload on healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

CORAL, the COVID risk calculator tool, has proven to be valuable in the management of COVID cases in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. By providing decision support and streamlining the process of resolving COVID and other infection statuses, CORAL has significantly reduced the workload on healthcare professionals. With its user-friendly interface and wide availability, CORAL has become an indispensable tool in the fight against COVID, ensuring efficient and safe patient care.

Highlights:

• CORAL is a COVID risk calculator tool developed by Massachusetts General Hospital.
• It resolves COVID status and guides clinicians through the workup process.
• CORAL is used in the outpatient setting to manage COVID and other infection statuses.
• The tool is available to physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff.
• CORAL has reduced the workload on healthcare professionals and improved patient care.

FAQ:

Q: How does CORAL help resolve COVID status? A: CORAL utilizes epidemiology, symptoms, and other diagnostics to determine whether a patient's COVID risk can be resolved. It guides clinicians through the workup process, providing decision support and eliminating the need for extensive communication.

Q: Can CORAL be used in the ambulatory setting? A: Yes, CORAL is used in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. It aids in resolving COVID status, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care in a timely manner.

Q: Who can use CORAL? A: CORAL is available to healthcare professionals, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff, across the ambulatory setting. It is designed to be user-friendly and has already shown a reduction in workload.

Q: How has CORAL impacted the workload of healthcare professionals? A: CORAL has significantly reduced the workload on healthcare professionals by streamlining the process of resolving COVID and other infection statuses. It provides decision support and eliminates the need for extensive back-and-forth communication.

Q: What are the acknowledgments for the development and implementation of CORAL? A: Dr. Erica Shenoy and the entire Infectious Disease and Infection Control team at Massachusetts General Hospital, along with the creators and developers of CORAL, are acknowledged for their contributions in improving the management of COVID cases and reducing the workload on healthcare professionals.