The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed how health care is delivered in the Philippines and has affected the operations of healthcare facilities. Effects may include increases in patients seeking care for the respiratory illness that could be COVID-19, deferring and delaying non-COVID-19 care, disruptions in supply chains, fluctuations in facilities’ occupancy, absenteeism among staff because of illness or caregiving responsibilities, and increase in mental health concerns.
Healthcare facilities need to provide care for all patients in the safest way possible for patients and healthcare personnel at the appropriate level, whether patients need home-based care, outpatient care, urgent care, emergency room care, inpatient care, or intensive care.
Adjusting the Way Healthcare Services Are Delivered During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems should adjust their standard approaches of delivering healthcare services to reduce the need to provide in-person care to minimize risk to patients.
Using Telehealth Services
Telehealth services should be optimized, when available and appropriate. One of the best things about using telehealth services is to screen patients who may have symptoms of COVID-19 and refer as appropriate.
This is essential to provide urgent care for non-COVID 19 conditions and identify higher acuity care needs and refer patients as appropriate. Access primary care providers and specialists, including mental and behavioral health care providers, for chronic health conditions and medication management.
This will also help in participating in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other modalities as a hybrid approach to in-person care for optimal health.
Tips for using telehealth services to screen and care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Instruct patients who think they may have COVID-19 to use available advice lines, patient portals, or online self-assessment tools or to call and speak to an office/clinic staff rather than coming in person.
Another thing is to inform staff to conduct telephonic and telehealth interactions with patients. Develop protocols for staff to triage and assess patients quickly. A good thing to determine algorithms is to identify which patients can be managed by telephone and advised to stay home, and which patients will need to be sent for emergency care, come for in-person visits, or follow up with a lab for COVID-19 diagnostic testing or other testing services. Instruct patients with symptoms of COVID-19 to call before they leave home so staff can be prepared to care for them when they arrive.
Manage mildly ill patients at home
When possible, manage mildly ill patients with COVID-19 at home. Assess the patient’s ability to safely self-isolate and monitor their symptoms at home and assess the risk of the virus spreading to others in the patient’s home environment.
Providing Non-COVID-19 Clinical Care During the COVID-19 PandemicAs the pandemic continues, healthcare facilities must balance the need to provide necessary clinical services while minimizing risk to patients. Because the effects of COVID-19 vary among communities, healthcare systems may consider the local level of COVID-19 transmission when making decisions about providing medical services for conditions other than COVID-19. Decisions should be made in concert with state and local public health authorities.