Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
-
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2020
ReviewAccess to Telemedicine-Are We Doing All That We Can during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in physicians having to switch from in office visits to telemedicine. Unfortunately, physicians and patients did not have adequate time to anticipate barriers to its implementation. Over the last month, one of the major problems has been patient access to telemedicine. ⋯ This "digital divide" is not fair to our patients in need-especially those with a cancer diagnosis. Patients deserve access to care. We need to implore insurance companies to provide tablets with wireless capabilities to patients in need.
-
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2020
ReviewTelehealth Opportunities for the Otolaryngologist: A Silver Lining During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The utilization of telemedicine has seen a relatively slow progression over the past 50 years in the US health care system. Technological challenges limiting the ease of use of robust video platforms have been a major factor. Additionally, the perception by many health care providers that telehealth is reserved for only the rural population or that it provides limited value due to the inability to perform in-depth physical examinations contributes to the slow adoption. ⋯ Large health systems are investing millions of dollars and increasing telehealth visit numbers 100-fold to access patients. The "telehealth movement" is here to stay and will undoubtedly be incorporated into providers' daily lives years after the COVID-19 pandemic. By embracing virtual access to health care, otolaryngologists will be able to influence improvements to these systems and broaden access options for patient care well into the future.
-
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to unprecedented demands on the modern health care system, and the highly contagious nature of the virus has led to particular concerns of infection among health care workers and transmission within health care facilities. While strong data regarding the transmissibility of the infection are not yet widely available, preliminary information suggests risk of transmission among asymptomatic individuals, including those within health care facilities. We believe that the presence of a tracheostomy or laryngectomy stoma poses a unique risk of droplet and aerosol spread particularly among patients with unsuspected infection. At our institution, guidelines for the care of open airways were developed by a multidisciplinary open airway working group, and here we review those recommendations to provide practical guidance to other institutions.
-
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2020
ReviewClinical Recommendations for Epistaxis Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Epistaxis is a common complaint in the general population, and its treatment is a common procedure in emergency departments. In the COVID-19 era, procedures involving airway management are a particular risk for health care workers due to the high virulence of the virus, the transmission through aerosol, and the risk of contagion from asymptomatic patients. ⋯ In particular, the use of filtering masks is strongly recommended since all patients, including those referring for epistaxis, should be treated as being COVID-19 positive in the emergency department. The safety of health care workers is essential not only to safeguard continuous patient care but also to limit virus transmission.
-
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Jul 2020
ReviewEvidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Head and Neck Mucosal Malignancies during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Due to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, otolaryngologists face novel challenges when treating patients with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current evidence surrounding the treatment of these patients during this pandemic and to provide evidence-based recommendations with attention to increased risk in this setting. ⋯ Patient care plans should be guided by best available evidence to optimize outcomes while maintaining a safe environment in the setting of this pandemic.