Chair File: Responding to COVID-19 – Caring for Patients and Communities
As our nation’s strategy to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, hospitals and health systems remain on the front lines of this outbreak.
In many states, our hospitals, physicians and nurses are caring for patients with COVID-19. In other states, we’re continuing our preparations so we can be ready to care for potential patients and communicating important information to our communities.
As a physician and president and CEO of Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, I’m making sure that our organization is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We’re sharing the key guidance with our health care workers and our patients to help prevent the virus’ spread and to keep more of our community safe and healthy.
Our Saint Luke’s What You Need to Know webpage and a new series of videos on our YouTube channel discuss many of the most common questions and concerns people have about COVID-19, including screening and symptoms, how to protect yourself and others, and what to expect if one accesses care through the emergency department, a clinic or another facility.
During these challenging times, the public often turns to local care providers for reliable information, and it’s important that every hospital and health system serves as a trusted conduit for their community.
On the national level, as AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack wrote in his March 13 Perspective the AHA is continuing to keep the field updated on the latest information from the CDC and other federal agencies, and advocating for policies and resources to support hospitals and health systems.
Thank you to the more than 6 million women and men who have been preparing for and responding to COVID-19. This includes our nurses, physicians, therapists, engineers, food service workers, environmental stewards, administrators and so many more. We are grateful for your selfless service and we encourage you to take every precaution for your own health, and that of your families and friends.
As we work together to combat COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months, I know you will continue to provide not only compassionate care to patients in need, but also knowledgeable and composed leadership to your communities across the country; sharing valuable information about safety and prevention.