Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • ESG: THE NEW IMPERATIVE
Subscribe
  • Sign Up Free
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Current News
    • Providers
    • Insurance
    • Government
    • Finance
    • Technology
    • Safety & Quality
    • Transformation
    • People
    • Regional News
    • Digital Edition (Web Version)
    • Patients
    • Operations
    • Care Delivery
    • Payment
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • South
    • West
  • Digital Health
  • Insights
    • ACA 10 Years After
    • Best Practices
    • Special Reports
    • Innovations
  • Opinion
    • Bold Moves
    • Breaking Bias
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Vital Signs Blog
    • From the Editor
  • Events & Awards
    • Awards
    • Conferences
    • Galas
    • Virtual Briefings
    • Webinars
    • Nominate/Eligibility
    • 100 Most Influential People
    • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
    • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
    • Excellence in Governance
    • Health Care Hall of Fame
    • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
    • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
    • Top 25 Innovators
    • Diversity in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
      • - Leaders to Watch
    • Women in Healthcare
      • - Luminaries
      • - Top 25 Women Leaders
      • - Women to Watch
    • Digital Health Transformation Summit
    • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
    • Leadership Symposium
    • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
    • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
    • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
    • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
    • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
    • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
    • - Hospital of the Future
    • - Value Based Care
    • - Supply Chain
    • - Hospital at Home
    • - Workplace of the Future
    • - Digital Health
    • - Future of Staffing
    • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
    • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
    • Video Series - The Check Up
    • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
  • Data Center
    • Data Center Home
    • Hospital Financials
    • Staffing & Compensation
    • Quality & Safety
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Data Archive
    • Resource Guide: By the Numbers
    • Surveys
    • Data Points
  • MORE +
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletters
    • Jobs
    • People on the Move
    • Reprints & Licensing
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Opinion
September 12, 2020 01:00 AM

We've learned a lot during this pandemic; let's put the knowledge to good use

Barbara Pelletreau and Roy Boukidjian
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    Barbara Pelletreau and Roy Boukidjian

    Barbara Pelletreau is senior vice president of patient safety, and Roy Boukidjian is vice president of infection prevention at CommonSpirit Health.

    Our country is now more than six months into the worst public health crisis we have known in over a century. More than 6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 190,000-plus documented fatalities later, what have we learned?
    Truth is, we have acquired an enormous amount of actionable knowledge about the virus—how to test for and better treat it, how to prevent its spread and how to protect ourselves against it. But gaining knowledge and applying it successfully are not the same thing. 

    Large health systems are in a unique position to share some broad core lessons that can serve us all well going forward: 

    Take care of our healthcare heroes. Even our doctors and nurses who served in the military or trained in emergency medicine never imagined having to put their own lives and livelihoods on hold for such extended periods. Even after the pandemic has passed, thousands of them may experience a unique form of professional and personal post-traumatic stress disorder. We must recognize and address this by rotating them off the front lines and expanding the healthcare workforce. 

    Recognize that disparities are a matter of life and death. Health disparities grounded in race and ethnicity have been subject to policy discussions for decades. The disadvantaged face a perfect storm: more likely to be exposed to the virus, but less likely to have access to testing and treatment; more likely to have underlying conditions, but less likely to cope with the financial impacts of the pandemic. And perhaps soon—less likely to be able to access the vaccines that afford some level of protection. 

    Here comes the flu … It is always important for everyone, most certainly caregivers, to get a flu vaccination. But this year individuals must be accountable for their symptoms like never before. Stay home if you are sick and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms (telehealth calls are easier and more available than ever). Remember: flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms can be very similar. 

    … and sometime soon, a COVID-19 vaccine. Our nation’s handling of the pandemic to date must not presage our handling of a vaccine; the approval process must be science-driven and inspire public confidence. Distribution must initially prioritize essential workers. As more widespread vaccinations are possible, no one should have to go without due to access or affordability challenges. 

    End the “mask confusion.” As a nation, it took many years and multimillion-dollar public-awareness campaigns for us to wear seat belts and stop smoking in public places. Those were long-term appeals, but we do not have the luxury of time right now. The science has evolved, and there’s more evidence than ever before that wearing a mask is effective. In fact, wearing a mask must be a universally accepted norm.

    Quick, reliable testing. We cannot afford an on-again, off-again commitment to COVID-19 testing; for the foreseeable future, it is an imperative. But real challenges remain: while identifying positive cases has obvious benefits, waiting five to 10 days for results almost nullifies the capacity to contain spread. We need a consistent focus on deploying convenient tests that produce reliable, rapid results and actively driving their use, particularly among high-risk populations, in hot spots and for those exposed to a known positive.

    Prepare to be screened. For the foreseeable future, and perhaps indefinitely, screening in healthcare facilities and other public venues will be the new normal. When you come to a hospital or clinic, expect to have your temperature taken and answer screening questions. These are for everyone’s safety—patients and caregivers.
    No healthcare professional needs to be reminded of the seriousness of what lies ahead. Let’s take what we’ve learned, be ready and willing to adapt—and build a new resolve to defeat this virus together. 

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Send us a letter

    Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

    Recommended for You
    cvs health_i.png
    Oak Street Health shares soar on report of CVS deal
    physical therapy telehealth.png
    MSU Health Care unveils virtual physical therapy program
    Most Popular
    1
    More healthcare organizations at risk of credit default, Moody's says
    2
    Centene fills out senior executive team with new president, COO
    3
    SCAN, CareOregon plan to merge into the HealthRight Group
    4
    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan unveils big push that lets physicians take on risk, reap rewards
    5
    Bright Health weighs reverse stock split as delisting looms
    Sponsored Content
    Get Newsletters

    Sign up for enewsletters and alerts to receive breaking news and in-depth coverage of healthcare events and trends, as they happen, right to your inbox.

    Subscribe Today
    MH Magazine Cover

    MH magazine offers content that sheds light on healthcare leaders’ complex choices and touch points—from strategy, governance, leadership development and finance to operations, clinical care, and marketing.

    Subscribe
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Modern Healthcare empowers industry leaders to succeed by providing unbiased reporting of the news, insights, analysis and data.

    Contact Us

    (877) 812-1581

    Email us

     

    Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Editorial Dept
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Code of Ethics
    • Awards
    • About Us
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Modern Healthcare
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Current News
      • Providers
      • Insurance
      • Government
      • Finance
      • Technology
      • Safety & Quality
      • Transformation
        • Patients
        • Operations
        • Care Delivery
        • Payment
      • People
      • Regional News
        • Midwest
        • Northeast
        • South
        • West
      • Digital Edition (Web Version)
    • Digital Health
    • Insights
      • ACA 10 Years After
      • Best Practices
      • Special Reports
      • Innovations
    • Opinion
      • Bold Moves
      • Breaking Bias
      • Commentaries
      • Letters
      • Vital Signs Blog
      • From the Editor
    • Events & Awards
      • Awards
        • Nominate/Eligibility
        • 100 Most Influential People
        • 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
        • Best Places to Work in Healthcare
        • Excellence in Governance
        • Health Care Hall of Fame
        • Healthcare Marketing Impact Awards
        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
        • Top 25 Innovators
        • Diversity in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
          • - Leaders to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Conferences
        • Digital Health Transformation Summit
        • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Virtual Briefings
        • - Hospital of the Future
        • - Value Based Care
        • - Supply Chain
        • - Hospital at Home
        • - Workplace of the Future
        • - Digital Health
        • - Future of Staffing
        • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
      • Webinars
    • Multimedia
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Data Center
      • Data Center Home
      • Hospital Financials
      • Staffing & Compensation
      • Quality & Safety
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Data Archive
      • Resource Guide: By the Numbers
      • Surveys
      • Data Points
    • MORE +
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Newsletters
      • Jobs
      • People on the Move
      • Reprints & Licensing