Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC), the province’s biggest medical institution, has been making a few adjustments in its out-patient and admission procedures in order to efficiently cater to all patients without disrupting the hospital’s normal operation.
Among these adjustments is the setting up of a pre-triage area at the hospital entrance where all patients are initially screened for COVID-like symptoms. Here, the patient’s information like travel history and necessary personal details are being extracted.
According to the DOPMC management, patients who will exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be tagged as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) and consequently be referred at the Out-Patient Department (OPD) Building which now temporarily houses the main triage area as the physical consultation at the OPD has been temporarily suspended. This area is being manned by a family doctor, nurse, and attendant who are fully equipped with Personal Protective Equipment.
Two emergency tents were also set-up outside the hospital building. One is intended for emergency cases, in which taking the patient’s information and travel history are not possible.
Another tent serves as a containment area for PUIs who are bound to be sent to the referral hospital at the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City.
Dr. Reden Bersaldo, DOPMC Chief of Hospital and Action Officer of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, said that this system ensures that only patients with “clean cases” or those without COVID-like symptoms are the ones who are catered at the emergency room, thus, preventing possible contamination and spread of the disease.
The hospital’s emergency room is temporarily located at the hospital lobby while the construction is ongoing for the permanent emergency room.
Telemedicine
Meanwhile, to maintain less contact and avoid crowds gathering at the facility, the DOPMC continues the operation of its telemedicine, which was launched a few weeks ago, in lieu of the physical consultation at the Out-Patient Department. The telemedicine enables virtual medical consultations through the use of phone or Facebook messenger chats.
“Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients using telecommunications technology. It also allows patients at home to access medical experts quickly and efficiently without traveling to the hospital,” Dr. Bersaldo said, adding that it lessens unnecessary exposure to health hazards for both patient and the doctor.
Along with the telemedicine, doctors can issue “e-prescription” and laboratory examinations without direct contact with the patients to avoid possible spread of COVID-19.
Hotlines are posted at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center Facebook Fanpage. Dr. Bersaldo said that all hospital departments have active Telemedicine Hotlines. (vjr@kld-PIO)
