Seminars in perinatology
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Seminars in perinatology · Oct 2020
PPE during a pandemic: The experience of obtaining PPE and lessons learned from a department of obstetrics and gynecology in New York city.
The COVID-19 Pandemic is an ongoing crisis that has strained hospitals and health systems around the globe. The provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers is of utmost importance in sustaining an effective response to this crisis. ⋯ We describe the types of equipment used and aspects of PPE regulation and certification. We also describe our practices in extended use and reuse of PPE in light of the current understanding of the virus characteristics and modes of transmission.
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Seminars in perinatology · Oct 2020
ReviewGynecologic surgical considerations in the era of COVID-19.
The goal of this chapter is to review the various considerations necessary to safely perform gynecologic surgery in the setting of a viral pandemic. The ability to triage surgical cases at a time of reduced resources is facilitated by both state and national societal guidelines in addition to various scoring systems. Concerns by health care personnel of viral transmission intra-operatively require appropriate use of PPE and pre-operative COVID-19 testing. Implementation of mitigation strategies around aerosol-generating procedures such as laparoscopy protects health care personnel involved in the surgical care of the patient.
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The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe quickly and drastically changed the way we practice medicine. In order to respond to its effects, careful planning and implementation of new guidelines and protocols was crucial to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. Given the limitations of space, staff, and resources in the community hospitals, a centralized command center, robust lines of communication within the department and between departments, and contingency and surge planning in this setting were critical. This chapter focuses on the unique challenges of practicing within a Level II hospital during a global pandemic.
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Seminars in perinatology · Oct 2020
Conversion and optimization of telehealth in obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When New York City became the international epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth at Columbia University Irving Medical Center was expanded in the inpatient and outpatient settings. The goals of telehealth during the pandemic were to maintain patient access to care while reducing the risk for COVID-19 exposure for patients and staff. ⋯ When visitor restrictions are in effect telehealth can be used to engage support persons in the delivery room. Telehealth innovations can be leveraged to greatly improve care for COVID-19 mothers and their infants during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Seminars in perinatology · Oct 2020
The Response to a Pandemic at Columbia University Irving Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The rapid evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City during the spring of 2020 challenged the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center to rely on its core values to respond effectively. In particular, five core values, "5 C's," were engaged: Communication; Collaboration; Continuity; Community; and Culture. Beginning on March 11, 2020, the Department of Ob/Gyn used these values to navigate an unprecedented public health crisis, continuing to deliver care to the women and families of New York City, to protecting and supporting its team, and to sharing its lessons learned with the national and international women's health community.