ALTHOUGH THE GREATER GALVESTON County area has had its share of COVID-19 cases, the skill and precision of HCA Houston Healthcare’s system has been critical in suppressing the number of fatalities along with the risk of a potential outbreak.
“We’ve certainly had hundreds of cases, but our preparation has benefited us tremendously,” said Carl Vartian, M.D., HCA’s Chief Medical Officer and Infectious Disease Specialist. “From the outset, we have approached this as if it were a major hurricane, of which we have plenty of experience in. We also have been able to rely on a deep supply chain and ancillary support that can be called up if needed.”
Vartian said that the HCA Houston Healthcare system is close to returning to normal, especially when it comes to resuming elective surgeries. However, he does voice concern about the declining numbers of patients who have avoided attending to their general medical needs.
Since the pandemic hit the nation with force in early March, the number of people shunning their general medical needs has dropped rapidly. Rather than making regular appointments or considering a trip to the emergency room, thousands of people have put their long-term health at risk.
“One of the numbers I’ve seen is a reduction in issues like cancer screening,” he said. “By not being examined for general medical conditions, the risk of becoming something more serious increases in the long term. There are people staying at home despite feeling chest pains that would require a trip to either the doctor or the emergency room.”
Along with cancer screenings and potential heart attacks, the numbers of stroke patients arriving into the emergency room has also declined. “General maintenance is very important,” especially in this time,” said Vartian. “That requires periodic visits to the doctor in order to make sure they are taking the proper medications or if there is a need to adjust the medications they are on.”
Financial issues provide difficult challenges
Vartian is aware why some people have tailed off on general maintenance. “There is a real concern about those who may not be able to see the doctor because they don’t have the financial means to do so. In times like this, people tend to put off elective things like going to the doctor. They’re forced to make some difficult choices like whether to buy their medication or put food on the table.”
The presence of COVD-19 has produced its share of myths, chief among them the fear of sharing space with someone who has already been detected with the virus.
Not so, said Vartian., who has been part of HCA Gulf Coast Division’s executive team since 2008 following a 24-year stint in private practice of infectious diseases.
“The hospital is the safest place anyone could be in,” he said. “Those infected are not co-mingled with the general population. Everyone is screened from the moment they arrive. Everyone is wearing masks, and our staff is taking preventative measures to keep themselves and the patients safe.”
HCA Houston Healthcare has not faced issues regarding the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). All staff members have enough face shields, goggles and aprons that protect them from being splashed with liquids.
“This is quite a challenge that we have faced,” said Vartian. “We simply have never dealt with a pandemic like this before but, overall, I think we have weathered it very well.”
Back to normal?
In time, Vartian believes that things could eventually return to normal, although he has no timetable as to when.
“We’re obviously not there yet,” he said. “We are still awaiting the appropriate vaccines. I think that if we had a solution when it first started, I don’t think we would be as fearful about it as we are now.”
