COVID-19 Patients
HOW ARE YOU HANDLING COVID-19 PATIENTS AT BROWARD HEALTH?
Rapid testing has been implemented across Broward Health, allowing COVID-19 patients to more quickly receive necessary care while being isolated from others for the protection of non-COVID patients. Broward Health has the bed capacity to care for both COVID-19 and elective patients in separate areas of the hospital. As an elective patient, you should have no contact with a COVID-19 positive patient. To further ensure the hospital’s sterilization, we have added enhanced sanitation measures, such as electrostatic spraying of disinfectants that kill COVID-19 in minutes.
HOW ARE YOU SEPARATING COVID-19 PATIENTS FROM OTHER PATIENTS?
All COVID-19 patients are in a separate dedicated area of the hospital to help ensure there is no contact with our non-COVID patients. Hospital staff is also not shared between COVID areas and those for other patients. For the entire duration of the visit, non-COVID patients will be in units that are separate from where we care for COVID-19 patients.
WHAT IS BROWARD HEALTH SEEING IN TERMS OF COVID-19 CASES?
We are seeing a limited number of positive COVID-19 results, and an increasing number of patients being discharged under “Code Happy,” the announcement made when a recovered patient is set to leave the hospital.
IS BROWARD HEALTH INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE CLINICAL TRIALS FOR THE TREATMENT OF COVID-19?
Broward Health is participating in multiple clinical trials that are evaluating treatment protocols for COVID-19. Introducing these new therapies, treatments and regimens has resulted in improved respiratory clinical parameters and possible prevention of some patients needing ICU care and ventilation. Broward Health is also now involved in the Mayo Clinic study that is researching the use of convalescent plasma and uses recovered patients’ antibodies to help fight the virus.
HOW CAN SOMEONE PARTICIPATE IN A TRIAL?
COVID-19 patient eligibility for trials is assessed based on patients’ individual needs and medical history. If you would like to become a plasma donor, please visit OneBlood.org and complete the online form.