Butler Health System | Health Link | Spring 2020

Being a hospitalist during COVID-19 According to Forrest Gump , “Life is like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re going to get.” That is what it’s like to be a hospitalist caring for inpatients at a hospital these days. As the COVID-19 virus invades our communities, we know that the symptoms can be vague. They can include fever, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, like headaches and dizziness and the loss of taste and smell. All of our senses are piqued, looking for any clues that make us suspicious. It is a new challenge every day, with every patient. We have to be the eyes and ears and hands of other physicians as well. We’re in this together Butler Health System Clarion Hospital has a hospitalist team that includes three physicians, one nurse practitioner, and two or three family medicine residents in training at any given time. We care for all levels of patients and are the eyes and ears on patients while their primary care physicians are busy in their offices, manning the outpatient practice. We are on call 24/7 to coor- dinate and direct the care of patients from admission to discharge, whether on the medical-surgical floor or in the Intensive Care Unit. An even bigger team supports us at the Butler Health System Clarion Hospital level that extends to the higher level of specialty care at Butler Memorial Hospital. We have a team of specialists available to us through telehealth who can provide phone consults and arrange transfers for specialty care. While we’ve only had a handful of COVID-19-positive patients in the hospital, we still have to be at the ready for anything that may come our way. We have been privileged and prepared to care for you and your family here at Butler Health System Clarion Hospital, and we are grateful for your trust in our teams who are caring for you. Catherine Cunningham, DO, Hospitalist Butler Health System Clarion Hospital support patients with virtual visits from their families. The patients and their loved ones are so appreciative, and it has been a wonderful experience for the staff involved as well. Since the week of March 15, these volunteers have been serving our colleagues, our patients and their families as Compassionate Rounders. Compassionate Rounders are masked crusaders Each nursing unit has an iPad available 24/7 to link patients and family mem- bers whenever desired. “Thanks to technology and our Information Systems staff, we had our first FaceTime call on March 28,” says Marie Yingling, RN, Clinical Informatics Clini- cian. “It was a total surprise to the daughter who had not seen her mom for two weeks. The look on that daughter’s face was priceless!” The Compassionate Rounders travel with an iPad and make many video calls every day of the week. “We shared the joy of a grandma seeing her grandbaby. We have connected families that are many states away from each other,” Marie says. “There is noth- ing like seeing your loved one, whether you are the patient or their family.” One memorable visit turned into a patient’s singing a song he created to the tune of “Folsom Prison Blues.” His joy despite COVID-19 was infectious. “I think we got more from that visit than he did!” Marie says. “Being privi- leged to share the joy and sorrows of our patients as we lend an ear has been heartwarming. Video calls made for our patients in isolation because of COVID-19 are critical. Just seeing a loved one resting comfortably brings such peace. Our Compassionate Rounders continue to provide a vital link between our patients and family members as we all fight this virus together.” Telehealth at BHS brings your doctor right to your phone or computer. Learn more about how it works at butlerhealthsystem.org/Services/ Telehealth.aspx . Social distancing is important for stopping the spread of coronavirus. But it can be stressful. Getting outdoor exercise can boost your mood and reduce anxiety. So go ahead and go for a run or walk. However, stay 6 feet from others whenever possible. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HelpGuide ButlerHealthSystem.org | 5