University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics reported
that it has successfully treated dozens of
COVID-19 patients through a program that allows
them to stay in their homes while they recover.
Doctors use virtual technology to check daily
on patients who have been diagnosed with
the disease, freeing up the hospital for the
small percentage of those who need more
intensive care.
So far, 35 patients in the program have
recovered while only three have needed to be
admitted to the hospital, said UIHC chief medical
officer Theresa Brennan. Another 38 are still
being monitored through the program.
Brennan said she was going public with the
program’s success in the hope that other
hospitals follow suit, potentially preventing
them from being overwhelmed with patients.
One key lesson, she said, was that doctors often
need to encourage patients to stay hydrated
because they get a bad taste in their mouth and
don’t want to eat and drink.