Local clinic changes protocol to slow the spread of deadly virus

 

by Ian Melewski

Incoming patients are stopped at the front door and are screened for symptoms. This clinic near Manchester, Connecticut takes every precaution necessary to limit the spread of covid-19.

Hassan Loutfi, a doctor at this local clinic, said the spread of this untreatable virus is continually changing the way providers interact with current, and new patients. 

“At first, in mid-March, we switched to over the phone and video-chat visits to protect our current patients from contracting the virus, we also cancelled appointments and rescheduled the most important ones during the first week of March” Loutfi said. Video chat visits were helpful, but some were confused by them because they had trouble trying to access the chats. On the phone visits would be efficient most of the time. 

However, in some cases this would lead to people who wanted to visit the clinic but couldn’t, to become impatient, or upset. The clinic itself might be left with a financial burden because federally qualified healthcare centers rely heavily on the amount of patients they have, and their financial reimbursement they don’t receive currently puts them at risk of severe cutbacks. To help alleviate the issue for both parties, at the door screenings were put in place to allow patients, who absolutely needed to be seen to have the chance to do so during the morning hours. Loutfi said this took a mental toll on him because he was unsure if these cutbacks would include him in some way. 

Over the phone visits are now the main source of help with this clinic. They continually do check-ups for patients with respiratory symptoms. Many of Loutfi’s patients as of right now are considered high-risk, due to underlying health conditions. Communication with local hospitals and primary clinics, where he works is spotty at best. So far, Loutfi hasn’t heard of any of his patients having to receive ICU treatment, and hopes they can keep it that way.  

The panic this virus created has left patients who have anxiety, and psychiatric conditions to manifest symptoms, according to Loutfi. “Many patients we see have underlying anxiety disorders, which can make them believe they have symptoms of the virus” Loufti said. With the pandemic on everyone’s mind, these patients are now more likely to seek medical attention for minor or unrelated symptoms triggered by the panic of covid-19. “We are cautioning these patients to try to avoid this, because it increases their exposure to the virus, and unless they have difficulty breathing, there is little reason to take the risk and leave their homes” Loutfi said. 

 Loufti suggests that even if you believe you have covid, your best course of action is to stay inside, and to self-treat. In most cases, this virus could be represented as a fever, or symptoms of a cold. Taking Tylenol, getting plenty of rest, and drinking fluids is the safest way to handle it. Going out to get a test only puts others at risk for getting sick as well. 

“Staying inside, keeping your distance from others is the best way to stay safe during these troubling times” Loutfi said.