Featuring hospital and health care headlines from the media and the web.
Iowa news
How to help: Collection drive is on for Quad-City hospitals
A collection system is underway for getting emergency supplies to health care workers in the Quad-Cities who have or are likely to come into contact with those testing positive for COVID-19. The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities is taking donations of personal protective equipment, or PPE, including masks (especially N95 respirators), goggles, surgical gowns and latex gloves. (The Quad-City Times)
Sioux City hospitals and surgery centers postpone non-urgent procedures and surgeries
MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center, UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s, Dunes Surgical Hospital, and Pierce Street Same Day Surgery, announced they would postpone elective surgeries and procedures beginning on Tuesday, March 24 in response to COVID-19. Patients who have elective surgeries scheduled in the next few weeks can expect their procedures to be postponed. The hospitals said the decision was made with the safety of patients, providers, nurses and staff in mind. Every patient scheduled will be contacted by their Provider’s office and no further scheduling of elective procedures will occur at this time. (KMEG-Fox)
I think I have the coronavirus. What would a call with my healthcare provider sound like?
Let’s say you’re sick and start showing signs and symptoms of the coronavirus. You think you need to get tested. What should you do next? Your first step should be to call your local doctor’s office before making a trip to the clinic or the hospital. (KWWL-TV)
National news
White House Rural Health Official: Antimalarial Drug Could Help Treat Coronavirus
A treatment for malaria might be effective in combating the coronavirus if used early on, Dr. Jeff Colyer, a surgeon and the former governor of Kansas, said at The Wall Street Journal’s Health Forum, held remotely by videoconference on Tuesday. (Wall Street Journal)
Rep. Palazzo: Rural Hospitals ‘On Brink’ of ‘Collapse,’ Need Relief Amid Pandemic
Congress must assist rural hospitals in its upcoming bill aimed at blunting the economic devastation the coronavirus has wrought, Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo wrote in a letter to top U.S. House leaders on Tuesday. Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, about half of Mississippi’s rural hospitals were struggling financially as the State continues to refuse Medicaid expansion funds. (Jackson Free Press)
How the Coronavirus Affects Social Determinants of Health
As public health leaders look for ways to put a cap on virus spread – primarily through social distancing practices and in some cases shelter in place protocol – the nation is seeing just how deep health disparities run. There are clear delineations between different social groups and how they are faring in the new normal that coronavirus has dawned. The issue of social distancing, coupled with questions about access to care and other health resources, have specifically highlighted disparities for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure, who have limited food security, and who live in rural regions. (Patient Engagement HIT)