COVID-19 Response

 

Central New York hospitals were required to cancel all elective admissions and procedures in March, 2020. Because of the focus on the NYC surge, there was limited testing and PPE available in the area. Upstate Medical University Hospital and services were leaders in providing acute and chronic care, and contributing to the science-base about the pandemic and responses to it. The Upstate PMR response to COVID-19 is detailed below. 

Clinical

 PM&R Consult and therapy services continued to evaluate patients with new onset disability in the acute hospital, including those who tested positive for COVID-19, to progress activity and determine rehabilitation needs

 Utilization of Telehealth

IRF (both Downtown and Community Hospital sites) continued active comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services; modifications to allow family support

Progressive increase of outpatient face-to-face physician and therapy services, with adjustments to regulations by location and process changes

Early adopters of telehealth, both visual and phone (recognizing limited electronic capabilities of some patients) 

Research and publications

Turk MA, Landes SD, Formica MK, Goss KD (2020) Intellectual and developmental disability and COVID-19 case-fatality trends:  TriNetX analysis. Disabil Health J.13(3):100942. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100942

Landes SD, Turk MA, Formica MK, McDonald KE, Stevens JD. (2020) COVID-19 outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disability living in residential group homes in New York State. Disabil Health J. 2020 Jun 10;100947 Accepted June 21, 2020; doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100969

Turk MA & McDermott S. (2020)  The Covid-19 pandemic and people with disability. Disabil Health J, 13(3): 100944. doi: 10/1016/j.dhjo.2020.100944