Tag: coronavirus

Rheumatologists as Patient Advocates in the COVID-19 Era

As of early May 2020, the United States had 1.19 million confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 70,000 deaths due to COVID-19. In the urgent quest for therapeutic solutions, some have looked to antimalarial medications such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).

A recent paper in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases argues that rheumatologists as well as “researchers and patient partners must advocate for the appropriate distribution and use of HCQ, as millions of people with rheumatic diseases worldwide depend on HCQ to control disease activity and maintain quality of life.” Read More

Enhancing Safety of Clinicians Intubating COVID-19 Patients

Emergency medicine doctors and anesthesiologists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have worked together to create lightweight hoods that provide a physical barrier between COVID-19 patients and clinicians during intubation. These homemade devices, each constructed with less than $20 worth of materials, offer an additional, urgently needed layer of protection when treating COVID-19 patients. Read More

Preventing Two Potentially Fatal Complications of COVID-19

A decision by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic is helping patients hospitalized with the virus avoid two potentially fatal complications: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The Brigham’s protocol to give all hospitalized patients a prophylactic anticoagulant dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) addresses blood clot risk factors that are particularly acute in patients with COVID-19. Read More

Finding the Right Time for Tracheotomy in COVID-19 Patients

Dr. Matthew Rochefort and Dr. Anthony Coppolino performing a bedside percutaneous tracheostomy in a COVID positive patient.Dr. Matthew Rochefort and Dr. Anthony Coppolino prepared to perform a bedside percutaneous tracheostomy in a COVID+ patient.

How does one determine when to employ tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation? It’s difficult to say given what relatively little we know about the disease at this point. Stephanie L. Nitzschke, MD, an acute care surgeon, trauma surgeon and surgical intensivist, is one of the clinicians developing guidelines on tracheotomy timing at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Dr. Nitzschke said that in order to balance the safety of patients and health care workers, the Brigham is delaying consideration of tracheotomy until 21 days after a positive test for COVID-19. But she stressed that all protocols related to this disease are subject to change. Read More

Innovative Testing Strategy Conserves PPE During the COVID-19 Pandemic

B-PROTECTED COVID-19 Testing Booth

Personal protective equipment (PPE) constraints are creating a great challenge for hospitals and health systems across the nation as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. To address this problem, a team of staff from across Brigham and Women’s Hospital came together to develop an innovative COVID-19 testing booth. The Brigham Protective Equipment for Clinical Test Environment and Diagnostics (B-PROTECTED) booth preserves PPE and keeps clinicians on the front lines protected.

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Setting the Record Straight About Hydroxychloroquine, NSAIDs and COVID-19

As the scope of the coronavirus pandemic broadens, it is only natural for people to look to the scientific and research communities for solutions. In recent weeks, however, the thirst for viable treatment options has contributed to drug shortages and misinformation for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Two cases in point involve hydroxychloroquine and ibuprofen. Laura L. Tarter, MD, and Daniel Hal Solomon, MD, MPH, of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity offer their perspectives on each of these issues, which carry significant implications for rheumatic care during this health crisis. Read More

Rheumatologists Worldwide Pulling Together in Face of Coronavirus Pandemic

Rheumatologists have a critical role to play in optimizing the response to COVID-19 and outcomes for our patients with rheumatic diseases. In just the past few weeks, rheumatologists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and around the world have joined forces for this purpose.

“I’ve been very impressed by how quickly the rheumatology community has come together,” said rheumatologist Susan Y. Ritter, MD, PhD, associate medical director of the Brigham’s Arthritis Center. “I’ve seen multiple people communicating via email, Twitter and Facebook to get the word out to rheumatologists and make sure we have as much data as possible.” Read More

ACR President Ellen Gravallese, MD, on the Organization’s Response to COVID-19

Last fall, Ellen M. Gravallese, MD, was named chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and president of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). In these roles, she is overseeing the response of the division and the ACR to the alarming spread of the novel coronavirus.

“The ACR has taken a very proactive stance to try to address COVID-19,” Dr. Gravallese said. “We understand how difficult this pandemic has been for rheumatologists in caring and making the best decisions for their patients while at the same time limiting community exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus as much as possible. We hope the work we are doing at the ACR will provide immediate assistance to physicians in these efforts.” Read More

COVID-19 Test Results in 24 Hours

Team clinicians and researchers in Clinical Molecular Pathology and Microbiology

Brigham and Women’s Hospital successfully validated a COVID-19 test for admitted patients, offering results within 24 hours. A team of experts from the Department of Pathology have been racing against the clock in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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