In March, when the world changed due to COVID-19, healthcare of course did as well. At hospitals and clinics, including our local Iowa Specialty Hospitals and Clinics (ISH), patients were asked to delay appointments in some cases. Elective surgeries were put off and rescheduled. Visitors were restricted, and telehealth appointments became the new normal.
Fast forward several months. Telehealth at ISH is still going strong, but they are also ensuring patients that it is safe to come back for in-person visits at their facilities. President and CEO Steve Simonin says that really an ISH hospital or clinic is probably one of the safest places you could go right now.
He points to the many precautions they are taking at their facilities. These include screenings for COVID symptoms and temperature checks before you enter the buildings. Patients, visitors and staff must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which typically includes a mask. Barrier shields have been installed at registration desks, waiting areas have been rearranged and extensive cleaning is taking place around the clock.
Simonin says that he is happy their telehealth program is working well, but he adds that some types of care just require in-person appointments. This is true for most of the patients that Dr. Andrea McLoughlin sees.
Dr. Andrea works with some of the youngest patients, including delivering babies. She says that she is very comfortable asking patients to come to the clinic and hospital in person. She noted how important it is to keep infants and children on schedule for immunizations and well-child visits. “We now have a better idea of where we are at in the community with the virus. There is more liberal testing going on and we are taking the appropriate precautions to keep patients and staff safe.”
Miriam Meinke and her baby girl have been visiting ISH plenty lately. Baby Elena was just born in Clarion in July. Meinke admits she and her husband were nervous to be having a baby mid-COVID crisis but the precautions ISH was obviously taking put her at ease. From the many hand sanitizing stations to PPE required, she emphasized, “we knew that Iowa Specialty Hospital was doing everything they could to make sure we and our baby were safe.”
For patients who are older, ISH doctors say the same precautions are keeping even at-risk patients safe. Dr. Michael McLoughlin works with many patients who would be considered at a higher risk for COVID but says he is typically happy to welcome them back to in-person appointments. “Our safety precautions are working well. What we are doing to keep patients and staff safe has been affective. We really are not seeing transmission happening in the hospital.”
Both McLoughlin doctors caution that waiting until COVID blows over to seek medical care really is not a good option. Dr. Andrea said, “There are some types of preventative well maintenance that can’t be put off until this is over, like a mammogram.” Dr. Michael agrees that many medical concerns and conditions cannot just be delayed until the virus dies down. He hopes people are not unnecessarily toughing it out at home, because then you might be at a higher risk for a hospital stay later.
Mary Tesdahl has been a frequent ISH patient due to a hip replacement she recently underwent. She has been back and forth to physical therapy at the hospital several times a week since. Tesdahl says she has been very impressed by the safety precautions she sees. “Everyone is very cautious. The folks at the front desk are well-versed and on top of everything. The therapists are very thoughtful. Everyone is constantly trying to put patients at ease, despite everything.”
Both Tesdahl and Meinke also added that despite the mask-wearing and PPE, the staff are still friendly and caring. Meinke said, “Even if you can’t see everyone’s smiles through the masks, you can still hear their smiles in their voices.”
The ISH staff also work on their end to keep up their compassionate reputation. Dr. Andrea said the little kids think she looks funny with her mask and face shield, but she still feels like she can make those human connections with her voice and level of care. Dr. Michael adds, “We do the best to still be friendly, but right now, being friendly and caring also means caring about safety and protecting your neighbors with steps like wearing a mask.”
Though he acknowledges that telehealth will likely expand in the future, Simonin says you can’t replace the benefits of an in-person connection when it comes to medicine. With that in mind, he is pleased that ISH is able to accommodate patients in a variety of ways, including a good old-fashioned trip to the doctor.
