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SAN ANTONIO
MEDICINE

New Strategy

for COVID-19

Hospitalization

Discharge

Patient Care

By Jairo Melo, MD

When COVID-19 hit its second peak in San Antonio, during the The care management team uses remote patient monitoring tech-
late June 2020, it became evident that this wave of the pandemic nology to watch for changes in temperature, pulse oximetry, and
was different. Patients were younger, sicker, and less likely to have blood pressure for higher-risk patients and sends text message-
longstanding relationships with primary care physicians, endanger- based symptoms surveys to discharged patients to ensure no patient
ing their recovery. It was clear that a different approach was needed falls through the cracks. Most patients are seen by a physician within
when discharging patients back to their homes after a COVID-19- three days of discharge, whether for in-person follow-up appoint-
related hospitalization. ments or by using one of several telemedicine platforms present
Our practice chose to set up a COVID-19 post-discharge follow- throughout the network. Not only does the specialized care man-
up clinic, managed by Wellvana, which builds clinically integrated agement team provide up-to-date patient education based on the
networks. This clinic would be similar to what is done for chronic latest CDC guidance, but they elevate patient concerns to the ap-
disease management or recovery from major procedures. In addi- propriate physician and encourage recovered patients to donate con-
tion, this kind of care could be a vital source for capturing clinical valescent plasma. The clinic also partners with several lab providers
data with remote patient monitoring and patient surveys for much for a COVID-19 curbside swab clinic to give physicians clinical data
needed insight on how patients are recovering from the virus once about discharged patients.
their inpatient stays are done.

24 San Antonio Medicine • November 2020