Broward Health Continues to Persevere Through the Pandemic
By Daniel Casciato
Once again, South Florida was a designated COVID-19 hotspot this past summer, and similar to previous waves, regional health systems, such as Broward Hospital, rose to the challenge presented by the virus.
“As we have done during previous waves, Broward Health was ready to handle this past wave. We never know how many patients will require hospital admission, how sick they will be when they arrive, or how well they will do during recovery,” says Joshua Lenchus, D.O., interim chief medical officer, Broward Health. “Fortunately, our caregivers showed remarkable resilience as the wave peaked and have now seen a dramatic decrease from where we were two months ago.”
Like other health systems across the country, Dr. Lenchus explains that they have learned how to pivot its operations to respond, perfecting its surge capacity plans, identifying areas within the facilities to accommodate those who need hospitalization, integrating ever-changing testing platforms and medications, incorporating telemedicine to a significant degree, and adjusting visitation policies to ensure the health and safety of the employees, staff and patients.
Future outbreaks will be addressed in the same methodical fashion with which they have met previous waves, he notes.
“We developed task forces that focus on different operational aspects, which meet and inform the executive leadership team,” says Dr. Lenchus. “Changes in operations are deliberated and then communicated prior to implementation. We incorporate the latest evidence-based and scientific interventions to provide the best treatments available to our patients and community. Lessons learned really have provided us a fresh view of our incredible workforce – folks who have performed heroically in the face of a constantly shifting landscape that has taken an enormous emotional and physical toll on them. Wellness has never before been more important or integral to keeping them healthy.”
From the beginning, Broward Health followed the guidance from the Federal and State governments to help ensure the safety and welfare of the employees.
“We continue to advocate mask usage, hand hygiene, and physical distancing. Broward Health was an early adopter of different medications used to treat those infected with COVID-19, including monoclonal antibodies,” says Dr. Lenchus. “And, we have consistently underscored the importance of vaccination, from setting up numerous sites for our employees, their families, and the community through our messaging to the public at-large.”
Although he expects COVID-19 is likely to be with us for some time, Dr. Lenchus is increasingly hopeful that we are gaining the upper hand with each wave encountered, especially as we learn more about disease prevention and treatment tools for the virus.
He offers some practical advice to the general public.
“Broward Health is here to serve the community, as it has been for more than 80 years,” he says. “Do not postpone medical care. Regularly see your doctor. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. Wear your mask. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Physically distance yourself from others, especially if they are or may be sick. Vaccinate yourself and encourage those around you to follow these protective measures. Working together, we can get COVID-19 under control.”
For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.
