AECOM has completed the first phase of the transformation of Chicago’s McCormick Place into an alternate care facility (ACF) for patients considered COVID-19 positive. Fourteen days after the receipt of a notice to proceed, the first 500 beds of the McCormick Place ACF have accepted its first patients.
“We are proud that AECOM and a talented group of partners could rapidly mobilize in support of the greater Chicago community,” said Michael S. Burke, AECOM’s chairman and chief executive officer. “As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact lives across the U.S. and around the world, our disaster preparedness, response and recovery experts stand ready to help support cities, states and countries in flattening the curve, expanding healthcare capabilities and building resilience for the future.”
AECOM was responsible for building an integrated team to fast-track the delivery of owner representative services, ensuring a fully operational facility capable of safely caring for COVID-19 positive patients in an effort to reduce burden on the local healthcare systems. To enable healthcare workers and supporting staff with the ability to care for low acuity patients both safely and effectively, the first phase of the McCormick Place ACF included access to medical supplies, central and satellite pharmacies, medical staffing, security service, janitorial service, food service, communications networks, electronic medical records and negative-air buildouts.
AECOM began to support this essential work on April 1, 2020 under the direction of the city of Chicago, working alongside the Illinois National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers. The next phase of 500 beds is slated to be complete by the end of April. Amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, AECOM is taking action to help ensure the safety and well-being of its employees, maintain operational resilience and provide solutions that can help clients and communities along the path to recovery.
