HEALTH
Patients with chronic illnesses are kept safe
from coronavirus through telemedicine
SUBMITTED
Dr. J. Barry Dixon, the president of Physician Services at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, has piloted
telehealth services at LCRH.
BY CARLA SLAVEY
COMMONWEALTH JOURNAL
The novel coronavirus has taken
a toll on those who have what has
been called “underlying issues” –
heart conditions, diabetes, COPD
and other lung issues, suppressed
immune systems and so forth.
For those who have such chronic
issues, the quest becomes keeping
themselves safe from COVID-19
while still being able to get
treatment for their chronic issues.
One solution is telemedicine,
where patients can still talk to a
doctor or medical professional via
phone of video chat without leaving
their homes.
Many Somerset medical teams are
turning to teleservices. Dr. J. Barry
Dixon, the president of Physician
M ay 2020
Services at Lake Cumberland
Regional Hospital, piloted telehealth
services at LCRH.
The program has proven popular,
He said the LCRH team did 1,000
visits in the first week.
If the patient has the capability,
Dr. Dixon said he prefers video
visits where he can see the patient,
and they can see him.
Those visits are done primarily
through FaceTime or through a free
app called Doxy.me.
He understands, however, that
some patients may not have
smart phones or the technical
understanding to take a video call.
Some patients may have a child or
a grandchild who can help them the
technical aspects, though.
He estimated that 75 to 80 percent
of their telehealth sessions are
done via a video visit, but the rest
can be done through a traditional
telephone conversation.
During such a televisit, patients
may be asked to take their blood
pressure or give the medial expert
whatever readings they have or a
run-down of symptoms.
In turn, the medical practitioner
will ensure that the patient has
adequate medication and food, and
a support system in place, Dr. Dixon
said.
The patient will be evaluated
based on current information.
Dr. Dixon said that should it be
determined the patient needs to go
to the emergency room, the medical
staff will inform the emergency
room ahead of time that the patient
is coming in and what their issue is.
I n T ouch with S outhern K entucky • 21