Patient Safety and Quality

  • 1.  Outpatient care in setting of COVID-19 staffing shortage

    Posted 03-11-2020 20:04

    Hi all -

    My hospital has asked that our division  develop a contingency staffing plan for physicians and APPs based upon a potential reduction in clinical workforce at 10%, 25%, and 50% as a result of anticipated absences from COVID-19.  

    I wanted to reach out to see whether others have considered how they might triage services for outpatient maternal-fetal medicine in the event of a large reduction in staff. We are looking into video visits for consults / prenatal care. I'm also curious about how we might prioritize imaging studies if we have a large reduction in capacity.

    Thanks in advance for your thoughts!


    -Alison



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    Alison Stuebe
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  • 2.  RE: Outpatient care in setting of COVID-19 staffing shortage

    Posted 03-11-2020 20:56
    Hi Alison,
    I am working on setting up a virtual clinic via doxy.me for consults that do not require US or hands-on and for all preconceptional consultations. Doxy.me is free and HIPAA compliant. I know non MFM providers who have used it and like it. Very easy to use. You set up a link that patients use to check in. They wait in a virtual waiting room until you are ready to see them. They just need a web browser- no app to download. 
    SMFM, ACOG and AMA need to advocate and press for telemedicine to be covered by all insurances. Right now they reimburse poorly or not at all depending on the state. We need emergency legislation to move this forward. It is absolutely necessary to protect patients as well as ourselves. Very timely. 
    Happy to help in any way.
    Best,
    Diana 


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    Diana Rodriguez MD MPH FACOG

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Outpatient care in setting of COVID-19 staffing shortage

    Posted 03-11-2020 21:22
    Thanks so much for sharing this info! We have the ability to do video visits through Epic, and North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield has agreed to parity for video visits. Will also check out doxy.me

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    Alison Stuebe
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Outpatient care in setting of COVID-19 staffing shortage

    Posted 03-12-2020 17:51
    this is really helpful. thanks for sharing.

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    Joanne Stone
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    Original Message