![]() Get more news and insight in the April 27 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee. “By transforming and moving into the virtual space, we’ve developed capabilities now that we’re not going to let go.” “COVID forced us to transform how we delivered care, but not all of that’s bad,” Stuck said. In that same time, the number of Advocate Aurora providers offering virtual care has grown from about 300 to 1,700, Golson said. In four months, it has seen a seven-fold increase in visits. In January, the system set a goal of doubling its virtual visits across its footprint. “We do think that this has great promise in helping to understand the spread of this virus,” said ch ief nursing officer Mary Beth Kingston.Ĭhief marketing officer Kelly Jo Golson said the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the system’s use of telemedicine. Antibody testing is currently limited to patients who have an order from an Advocate Aurora physician. Kingston said the system has significantly increased its testing capacity over the past few weeks at Advocate Aurora-owned ACL Laboratories, with a capacity of about 1,500 tests daily and a 24-hour turnaround time for results.Įarlier this week, the system announced it would begin serologic antibody testing to identify recovered COVID-19 patients that can donate convalescent plasma and for epidemiological research. Adding additional cleaning precautions in all areas and added hand-washing and sanitizer stations.Īdditionally, every patient who is seeking an elective surgery will be tested for COVID-19, Stuck said.Implementing virtual check-ins with digital devices for low-contact arrivals.Rearranging waiting areas, including having patients wait in their car until their appointment time, and staggering appointment times to reduce traffic.Taking the temperature of everyone who enters its facilities and asking questions about symptoms and exposure.Those who don’t have them will be provided with them. Requiring everyone who enters its facilities to wear a mask.“We are committed to doing just that in a safe and thoughtful way through a phased approach, allowing us to carefully turn the dial and reactivate areas that were put on hold during this pandemic.”Īdvocate Aurora is implementing a five-pronged approach to increase safety measures as patients begin returning for elective procedures. “I know we’re all eager to resume operations and see our patients back for their care,” Stuck said. Stuck added that the system currently has enough personal protective equipment, but it “continues to be an area of focus” as it resumes elective procedures and ambulatory visits. Gary Stuck said they haven’t yet decreased to a level that would allow the system to lift all restrictions at once. While cases have largely plateaued over the past month, chief medical officer Dr. In Wisconsin, the system reported on Thursday it has 1,189 active COVID-19 cases, including 98 inpatient. “There’s a fair amount of people out there that have delayed care,” she said. Chief nursing officer Mary Beth Kingston estimated that the system has seen a roughly 50% decrease in patient volumes during the pandemic. Advocate Aurora is among a group of Milwaukee-area health systems urging patients to not put off non-coronavirus-related preventive and routine visits amid the pandemic. ![]()
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