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Feature
Behind the Mask
Dispatches from our members face-to-face with COVID-19 every day Dale Criner, MD, MBA, FAAFP MMS Board Member Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Emergency Department Medical Director, St. Francis Hospital-Bartlett Affiliate Asst. Professor of Medicine, UTHSC, Department Of Medicine, Memphis, TN In his own words One would think a global pandemic would mean a near unmanageable increase in Emergency Department patient volume. Certainly, that is exactly what many of us expected as we prepared for the worst. Fortunately, that has not happened in our facilities. Hopefully, it never will. What did occur was an extreme drop in patients seeking Emergency Medical Care. This has been one of the most impactful aspects of COVID-19 in our practice. We strive to improve our time of recognition and treatment of time-sensitive medical emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes, and sepsis. As the weeks of the pandemic unfolded, we realized many of these patients, who previously presented “within the window” for the time-sensitive treatments were simply staying at home until it was too late. It is heartbreaking to know that if your patient had simply called 911 at the onset of their symptoms, it is very possible they would have been successfully treated with a full recovery. However, EMS professionals relayed to us an increase in calls at patient’s homes where it was too late. The patient had already died. Fortunately, this trend has improved. However, there are still many barriers to overcome to reach as many patients as possible in time to make a meaningful difference. One of the greatest challenges for both patients and healthcare providers has been the necessary restrictions on hospital visitation. Imagine not being able to see your nursing home bound mother for months and then receiving a call from an unknown Emergency Physician telling you that she is doing very poorly, and likely will not survive her current medical condition. Then add to that the fact you will not be able to hold her hand as she passes. This is heartbreaking for the patient, the family, and the healthcare providers. This scenario plays out every day. In my opinion, this is the most impactful and under reported aspect of practicing medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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