• Stacy A Brethauer, Benjamin K Poulose, Bradley J Needleman, Carrie Sims, Mark Arnold, Kenneth Washburn, Allan Tsung, Nahush Mokadam, Timur Sarac, Robert Merritt, and Timothy M Pawlik.
• Department of Surgery, Divisions of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery and Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
• J. Gastrointest. Surg. 2020 Aug 1; 24 (8): 1852-1859.

BackgroundCOVID-19 has created an urgent need for reorganization and surge planning among departments of surgery across the USA.MethodsReview of the COVID-19 planning process and work products in preparation for a patient surge. Organizational and process changes, workflow redesign, and communication plans are presented.ResultsThe planning process included widespread collaboration among leadership from many disciplines. The department of surgery played a leading role in establishing clinical protocols, guidelines, and policies in preparation for a surge of COVID-19 patients. A multidisciplinary approach with input from clinical and nonclinical stakeholders is critical to successful crisis planning. A clear communication plan should be implemented early and input from trainees, staff, and faculty should be solicited.ConclusionMajor departmental and health system reorganization is required to adapt academic surgical practices to a widespread crisis. Surgical leadership, innovation, and flexibility are critical to successful planning and implementation.

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