Title
Medical Director's Report - Dr. Zun
Body
Physical Health
Provider Collaboration
* The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many staffing challenges.
Clinic Operations
* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been modifying services and locations to ensure we meet the needs of the community. Staff illness and self-quarantine limits the number of sites and services we can fully staff. We are moving to telephonic and telehealth visits for physical health as quickly as possible. We have prioritized immunization/well baby services, urgent care visits and caring for patients infected with COVID-19.
External Relations
* Rosalind Franklin/Chicago Medical School has provided many students to assist Prevention's Communicable Disease staff with contact investigations. We are quite appreciative of their service.
Regulatory
* Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services are being strictly followed.
Behavioral Health
Provider Collaboration
* There have been applicants for various positions including outpatient addictions, but at this time all hiring is frozen.
Clinic Operations
* We have moved to remote care for all patients. It has been primarily by phone, but we are developing a video interface process.
External Relations
* Medical student experiences and nursing practicums have been suspended.
Regulatory
* Governor's Executive Order and various federal agencies have relaxed regulation on telehealth, so patients can be physically located at home with Provider being located at the office or elsewhere.
* DEA and SAMHSA have also implemented emergency temporary regulatory changes to allow remote visits for addictions and less frequent dosing of methadone.
Dental Health
Provider Collaboration
* Dental team members are assisting with other duties as assigned within the Health Department.
Clinic Operations
* As of March...
Click here for full text