HEALTH
29
Treasure Coast Medical Report
IMMEDIATE CHANGES
Tiffany Woods, director of communications and public relations
for Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce
and St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, explains that
when the pandemic hit, enhanced cleaning protocols were
implemented with universal masking. Visitors are not allowed
for COVID patients, and restricted for others.
“We ensure that patients remain able to connect with their
loved ones,” Woods says, “by offering virtual technology options
with the assistance of our staff.”
The majority of primary care physicians and specialists at the
two HCA Healthcare hospitals continue to offer telehealth appointments
for those who feel more comfortable receiving care
from home. In general, telemedicine is experiencing a boom —
a trend that will likely continue beyond the pandemic.
Because medical personnel are exposed to the virus in a
unique way, monitoring staff has been key. Dr. Greg Rosencrance,
president of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital,
says its occupational health department has been active in
providing resources for caregivers with COVID symptoms or
who may have come into contact with someone diagnosed
with the virus.
“We implemented a COVID-19 hotline for caregivers to call
to talk to a clinician or schedule a test in-house,” he explains.
Guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention changed frequently during
the past year as more data were gathered. Brenda Stokes,
spokesperson for the St. Lucie County Fire District, says that
because it has been operating as per recommendations all
along, the department has not had to utilize other guidelines
due to the recent uptick in cases.
Hospitals dealt with immediate changes such as staff being
afraid of taking the virus home to loved ones. Cleveland
Clinic and other hospitals provide financial assistance, hotel
rooms and extra uniforms; coordinate child care and senior
care; and provide emotional support and other programs previously
not necessary. When a staff member is quarantined,
meals are provided.
“The Code Lavender program provides additional resources,”
Rosencrance says, which may include spiritual support,
therapy, debriefings and quiet rooms.
A NEW NORMAL
Before the pandemic, people were used to the convenience
and cost-effectiveness of scheduling outpatient procedures
and elective surgeries around personal calendars. If they or
loved ones suffered a stroke or heart attack, or if someone
was injured in an accident, they had confidence that a hospital
bed would be available.
“We haven’t had to turn anyone away for emergent care,
but we are reaching a tipping point,” Rosencrance says.
The delta variant of the COVID virus appeared in the
United States in December. By July, it was wreaking havoc in
South Florida hospitals. Staffing and supply shortages have
necessitated further changes.
Rosencrance says that the key to pandemic planning is >>
LRMC
Healthcare providers and support staff such as these in St. Lucie County are overworked and frustrated, but as more people get vaccinated, medical personnel
are hopeful for a break in the recent surge of coronavirus cases.