Over the past 10 weeks, our department, led by Dr. Mary D’Alton, has committed to developing new models of care, including a telehealth clinic to follow COVID-19+ pregnant patients and an Obstetrics ICU on our Labor and Delivery Unit. Working with partners across the city and state, especially those involved in the ACOG District II Safe Motherhood Initiative, we work to share our learnings and innovations with all of New York.
New Model of care: In order to care for COVID-19+ obstetric patients who become critically ill during delivery, our Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists establish a six-bed Obstetric Intensive Care Unit. Based on the model of care established by Columbia’s Mothers Center, a first-of-its-kind space providing care for pregnant women with high-risk complications, the OB-ICU is equipped with video monitoring and other standard ICU equipment and staffed by specialists from across the medical center. The OB-ICU utilizes the least invasive possible methods of care to help patients recover from COVID-19.
MAY 11
More than 10 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the US, with 15% testing positive.
More than 15 states move forward with reopening procedures.
May 12
Research Rapid Development and Implementation of a COVID-19 Telehealth Clinic for Obstetric Patients: Ten days after Columbia University Irving Medical Center diagnosed its first pregnant COVID-19+ patient, Dr. Leslie Moroz, Director of the Mothers Center, leads the deployment of a Virtual COVID-19 Clinic to monitor this high-risk population. The Virtual COVID-19 Clinic includes virtual visits and easy-to-follow algorithms for triaging patients and transitioning between outpatient and inpatient care. They publish a study on their findings, which demonstrates the impact virtual monitoring, standardized protocols, and effective communications can have in minimizing viral exposure.
May 14
Global deaths pass 300,000; US deaths more than 85,000.
May 15
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the HEROES Act, a new COVID-19 economic relief proposal.
For the first time in history, the House of Representatives changes its rules to allow for remote voting.
One of the most appealing aspects of my position at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital is the vision of providing the highest quality of care, the same standard as the academic tertiary care of our home institution, at a community hospital.
As soon as I start settling into this position, my first job out of fellowship, the COVID-19 pandemic hits, and the whole world changes. Career goals become irrelevant, and we all do whatever is necessary to keep our completely overwhelmed healthcare system afloat.
The pandemic is a powerful reminder of privilege. We are fortunate to be part of an institution that immediately responds and evolves. Our department moves at lightning speed to collect data, create contingency plans, and develop best practices for adoption on a national and global level. The 4:30 p.m. COVID-19 calls start, and I feel so supported and so proud to be a part of this department.
As we try to reimagine women’s healthcare in a post- COVID-19 world, it’s impossible to know what it will look like. But we’ve already demonstrated our strength and resilience. I am so excited and motivated to be part of the effort to expand and further develop our already incredible Ob/Gyn department.
Pavan K. Ananth, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at NYP/Hudson Valley Hospital