On Wednesday, an expert panel from UAB Medicine shared updates on clinical protocols designed to address the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Drs. Steve Stigler, Rachael Lee, Sarah Nafziger, and Jeanne Marrazzo (pictured above) presented information about UAB Medicine's strategy for containment to minimize the spread of this virus. Key precautions include active stewardship of protective equipment, focused triage and evaluation, and clear pathways for diagnosis and testing. While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alabama as of Thursday afternoon, we continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. Watch the presentation here.
Prevent Infection - Flatten the Curve
We can all do our part to slow the transmission of COVID-19:
Wash your hands frequently. Wash often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Avoid close contact. The virus is thought to spread person to person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Limit your exposure to public events and transportation as much as practicable.
Stay home if you are sick. People with a fever of 100.5 or higher should not go to work or public places. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, please contact a healthcare provider before visiting an emergency department, health clinic, or doctor's office. Read more here.
Find Updates: uab.edu/coronavirus
As we prepare for COVID19 coming to Alabama, UAB is doing a tremendous amount to protect all of us and to prepare us to care for all patients who contract COVID19. Situations like this prompt all sorts of questions and concerns. We are working in conjunction with our colleagues across the academic and medical enterprise to make sure that we answer as many of these as possible. The uab.edu/coronavirus site is the official place for student, employee, and system information and has an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions. As of 6:30 p.m. March 12, here are answers to a few questions that many in the DOM are asking:
Q: Should I cancel on-campus meetings with colleagues and students?
A: All members of our community are discouraged from holding events, meetings, or activities involving greater than 25 people if the meeting is not essential to patient care or ongoing operations.
Q: How do I get reimbursed for canceled travel?
A: There are updated guidelines on the Financial Affairs site to address foreign and domestic travel cancelation.
Q: Will UAB close?
A: The UA System is making immediate preparations to transition to on-line or alternate instruction for all academic courses to protect the health and safety of our communities. This policy applies only to academic classes. At this time, regular business operations will continue until further notice. Additional guidance will be forthcoming. Until further notice, faculty and staff should report to work.
The oneuabmedicine.org/coronavirus site is also a helpful channel and is the official source for clinical information. There are procedural daily updates, resources for patient-facing signage, as well as employee information. Please consult these sites first for answers to common questions as they are continually updated to help us address concerns.
DOM Prepares for Remote Work
Offering personnel a way to work from home is a key factor in practicing social distancing during this outbreak. The Department is working with administration and division leadership to identify ways to streamline the process for setting up remote workstations. We aim to share details with divisions today, as soon as they are finalized.
DOM Focuses on Essential Care
As UAB mounts a response to COVID-19, the Department of Medicine is focused on providing the very best care to all our patients. Each division is currently developing plans for how to deploy our clinical faculty and staff effectively, and to provide backup for those unable to come to work. Our training programs are also working to identify ways for our residents and fellows to safely provide essential care with appropriate backup plans.
DOM Suspends Weekly MGR Lectures
The Department of Medicine has suspended Medical Grand Rounds from now through the end of April. The department is actively working on a reimbursement policy for any travel disruption, and we will update you with that information when it becomes available.
Shout Out to our ID Team!
The Division of Infectious Diseases is providing extraordinary leadership in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Their work in collaboration with the UAB Emergency Response Team enables us to provide the very best care for our patients and community. THANK YOU for sharing your expertise and for keeping us connected to the science that is vital to guide us in the face of this pandemic.