Successful healthcare delivery using ambulatory hospitals—past, present and future

Crises provide fertile environments for innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every country and impacted life across the globe. Due to the pandemic, healthcare systems, hospitals and intensive care units are functioning beyond their capacity and the interruption of supply chains have resulted in shortages of equipment (i.e. ventillators), intensive care beds, medications, testing centers and PAPR (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) for healthcare workers. While the current challenges seem to be unprecedented (although it most likely will not eclipse the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918), there are healthcare delivery models that were used in the past and may also serve as a model for the current and future pandemics.