Our local healthcare providers are not only dealing with the current situation, but also looking two, three and four weeks ahead on how they can help area residents flatten this curve and minimize the impact of the Covid-19 virus. Dr. Kyle Ulveling, recently appointed Chief Medical Officer at St. Anthony Regional Hospital, says the information they are getting and the steps being taken are changing at a rapid pace. He says the medical community was learning a ton by the day about a month ago; now they are learning a ton by the minute.
One of the most important things citizens can do is treat this health risk as a very serious issue and follow the recommended steps to mitigate spread. Dr. Ulveling has a message to those who may be taking this more lightly than they should. He says he hopes they will live to regret those thought processes.
Objectively, data came in yesterday (Wednesday) reporting that Carroll County was one of the top five counties in the state for reduced mobility. The best thing, Ulveling says, that all people can do is continue to shelter in place and maintain a safe distance from others.
In healthcare, global communications have also been ramped up and St. Anthony and other Iowa facilities are taking the best practices from those hot spots around the world that have already dealt with the tidal wave. Although we are in our second week of operating under these physical distancing efforts and emergency proclamation orders, Ulveling says the healthcare industry does not believe we have seen it peak here in Iowa yet. He says the Surgeon General is predicting that April will be a tough month for the United States, but it is still difficult to predict.
Another national concern is access to ventilators as the coronavirus ramps up. Currently, there are only four ventilators available at hospitals in Carroll County. Ulveling says part of the assistance process on a federal level will be coming from those ventilators that have been set aside for the Department of Defense. As for increases in production, it will take time to get factories set up and tooled for that specific product. Ulveling cannot stress enough that the best thing we can do is prevent the tidal wave by physical distancing at all times and self-isolation when sick. To that end, St. Anthony is implementing telehealth services for patients of all ages. They are asking anyone who is not in need of emergent care to call their provider directly and work with them through this method. They will then decide on a case-by-case basis about further steps. This method is also to be used by anyone who is experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, most notably a fever and lower respiratory issues, including cough. This will enable providers to screen potentially infected individuals while also containing any associated spread to staff and patients. More details on that service are available through a link provided below. The link to the full interview with Dr. Ulveling can also be found here.
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Full interview with Dr. Ulveling: https://www.1380kcim.com/episode/kcim-interview-dr-kyle-ulveling-st-anthony-chief-medical-officer/
More information on telehealth services: https://www.1380kcim.com/news/2020/st-anthony-regional-hospital-will-launch-telehealth-services-friday-march-27/
