Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.
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2 6 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 scheduled immediately. Mr. Manopella turned to the same team in June to try to convince worried patients to reschedule their postponed cases. His staff engaged the surgeons who practice at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat and the employees at their offices, giving them frequent updates about enhanced cleaning measures and new testing and screening protocols, and explaining what they should be communicating to patients. Many patients were understandably worried about con- tracting the coronavirus, so one of the talking points explained how the center wasn't treating COVID-19 patients. Eventually, Mr. Manopella and his leadership team decided to ask the surgeons themselves to call the patients. "Personal calls from them helped us break through to getting our caseload back on track," says Mr. Manopella. The surgeons explained that there were no COVID-19 patients at the health system's surgery centers. They told patients that porous furniture had been removed, and the vinyl chairs and sofas that remained were moved apart from each other and cleaned frequently. A staff lounge was convert- ed into an additional waiting area. Patients are test- ed for COVID-19 before they arrive, and their com- panions have their temperatures taken before they're allowed in the building. Dr. Shapiro says effective and constant commu- nication with patients and staff members is more important than ever. "We tell patients everything we're doing to ensure that the likelihood of their exposure is very low," he says. "I've been talking about patient safety all my life, and I don't think this is any different. The goal is still the same — to ensure patients are well taken care of." Prioritizing safety As outpatient facility leaders everywhere continue to navigate a rapidly changing and incredibly challenging environment, there are steps they can take to ensure they're performing the safest pos- sible care. "It's an absolute must to document that you're up to date on CDC and infection control guidance regarding COVID-19," says Ms. Jones. "Read the new nationally recognized guidelines, evaluate them, discuss them with your clinical lead- ers and document everything along the way." Dr. Shapiro urges surgery facilities to treat every- one in the building as potentially positive for COVID-19. "I'm a realist," he says. "Nothing by itself, including the test, is 100% effective, and due to the nature of this disease, there's a considerable amount of time where a patient is pre-symptomatic, or remains asymptomatic, while they are indeed shedding virus." The constant uncertainty of who's carrying the virus places an even greater emphasis on ensuring your facility has adequate levels of PPE — and isn't taking needed resources from local providers who are caring for COVID-19 patients. N95 masks were in short supply during the initial peak of the virus, but Dr. Shapiro says the PPE situ- ation has improved significantly in the past few months as manufacturers and distributors have ramped up their operations. However, he warns to make sure the PPE you acquire is actually approved for use in surgery and suggests continuing your efforts to conserve current supplies. The safety of both patients and staff is under greater scrutiny due to the pandemic. But both Ms. Davis and Ms. Jones believe outpatient facilities are more than equipped to meet that challenge head-on. Ms. Davis' facility based its current safety protocols on guidance issued by Florida's governor during the shutdown of elective procedures. They prescreen all patients during pre-op phone calls, and require them to come in two days before surgery for a PCR COVID-19 nasal swab, which yields results the day after testing. Positive tests lead to an immediate "Coming to our facilities to work or for surgical care is safer than being out in the community." — Lisa Rhodes, MPP