Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Fall 2020

Methodist Healthcare piloting newCOVID-19 program Pulmonology experts at Methodist Hospital are piloting PATCH (Pulmonary Assessment and Therapy for COVID-19 Health), a new program for non-critical COVID-19 patients. The program assesses the much-needed daily physical and mental boost during a patient’s hospitalization after the critical phase of the ill- ness is over, but prior to discharge. With reinforced infection control measures, the program allows patients a way to engage with others in a safe environment by incorporating simple physical and social exercises. The program was approved by the Infectious Control division prior to initiation. Dr. Misha Peter, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine specialist at Methodist Hospital, designed and initiated the PATCH workplace program. “COVID-19 has forced us, in some ways, to re-learn what we already knew. In our well-meaning attempts at controlling infectious spread, and to keep other patients and healthcare personnel safe, we neglected the simple tenets of recovery from any disease such as mobility, maintaining a regular sleep-wake rhythm and a positive mindset,” Dr. Peter commented. “This program was primarily designed to encour- age that previously successful multidisciplinary approach but in a controlled and safe manner. This minimizes the infectious risk to others while providing affected patients with the best tools for recovery and helps them return to a normal life.” Dr. Peter is very pleased with the initial response to the program. “The staff feels united and motivated in providing the best care possible for these patients. I also personally feel this helps us [healthcare workers] to understand that we can still do our jobs well without fear as long as we maintain the recommended precautions. We are very hopeful that other local and national centers will move toward establishing similar programs during COVID-19 hospitalizations,” com- mented Dr. Peter. C OV I D - 1 9 C a r e Methodist Hospital opens city’s first COVID-19 recovery clinic Pulmonology experts at Methodist Hospital opened the first COVID-19 clinic in San Antonio for patients recovering from the lingering effects of the virus. Many patients leaving the hospital are experiencing long- term effects, such as difficulty breathing and lung damage; heart and kidney issues; and neuromuscular problems, often requiring longer recovery times. “The sicker you were, the more obvious it is that you’re going to need post-COVID-19 health evaluations,” said Dr. Jairo Melo, a pulmonolo- gist with Methodist Hospital. The post-ICU COVID-19 clinic targets pa- tients who have recovered from the virus and require further medical monitoring. Through telemedicine, physicians can provide advanced care. Patients recovering from COVID-19 may require anything from physical, occupational and speech therapy to behavioral counseling to cope with the trauma from being so sick or hospitalized for long periods. The clinic is located at 4458 Medical Drive, Suite 505. Call 210-690‑7400 to learn more. Jamie and Hazel share doggone good tips for wearing a face mask! Doggone it! Many people don’t know how to wear their face masks properly to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. Methodist Healthcare facility dogs Jamie and Hazel show the right and wrong ways to wear them. 8 F A L L 2 0 2 0 K E E P I N G W E L L