Hospital COVID-19 Preparedness and Patient Safety Programme: A System-Level Quality Improvement Initiative at District General Hospital Nawalapitiya

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, necessitating rapid restructuring of hospital services to ensure patient and staff safety while maintaining continuity of care. This article describes the development and implementation of a comprehensive COVID-19 preparedness and patient safety programme at District General Hospital Nawalapitiya during the early stages of the pandemic in Sri Lanka. The initiative involved establishing isolation units, intermediate care pathways, triage systems, infection control measures, patient education strategies, and communication networks. A multidisciplinary, system-level approach was adopted in alignment with national and international guidelines. The programme successfully enhanced infection control, improved patient flow, minimized hospital transmission risks, and ensured safe and efficient healthcare delivery during a critical period. This paper highlights the importance of proactive planning, coordinated teamwork, and adaptive system redesign in managing public health emergencies. Keywords: COVID – 19 Preparedness, Intermediate Care Centre, Isolation, Triage System. Title: Hospital COVID-19 Preparedness and Patient Safety Programme: A System-Level Quality Improvement Initiative at District General Hospital Nawalapitiya Author: Somaratne CJK, Weraduwage K, Raqeeb A, Pathiranage KPWC International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM) ISSN 2349-7807 Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2026 - June 2026 Page No: 55-59 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 16-April-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19604620 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Hospital%20COVID-19%20Preparedness-16042026-3.pdf