English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
Esperanto
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Urdu
Cancer screenings and treatments, unfortunately, have seen a sharp decline during the pandemic. Studies show the fallout from this delay in care, especially for more aggressive cancers, could be quite grim.
Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center’s Department of Urology has adapted its procedures and implemented new safety measures to protect the health of patients and staff during the pandemic, while continuing to provide the same outstanding urology care.
“We want to reassure our patients that it’s safe to receive urological care, and there is no reason to delay office visits, procedures, or surgeries,” said Michelle Kim, M.D., chief of Prostatic Disorders and Pelvic Tumors at Hackensack University Medical Center’s Department of Urology. “We are providing the same level of care as before COVID-19, but we are taking additional steps that dramatically reduce the chances of COVID-19 transmission.”
Enhanced Patient Safety Measures
Across all network facilities, Hackensack Meridian’s top priority is continuing to deliver high-quality medical care while protecting the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Enhanced network-wide safety measures include:
- Monitoring the temperature of all patients, approved visitors, team members and physicians who enter Hackensack Meridian facilities.
- Requiring masks for patients, staff, and approved visitors.
- Testing all patients who are admitted to the hospital or who are scheduled for a surgery or procedure.
- Rigorously cleaning and sanitizing all Hackensack Meridian facilities, including the use of ultraviolet (UV) light cleaning and fogging.
- Ensuring our team members and physicians have the appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Practicing social distancing throughout Hackensack Meridian facilities and wherever possible.
- Restricting visitation at all Hackensack Meridian facilities, with exceptions made in certain circumstances.
“In our office, we perform temperature checks and ask screening questions. Everyone wears a mask,” said Dr. Kim. “We have also moved seats in our waiting area to allow for social distancing, and have spaced out appointment times to limit the number of people in the waiting area.”
Dr. Kim said that the office has also implemented a compassionate visitor policy to reduce the number of people in the office while being sensitive to the needs of patients.
“We don’t allow visitors to accompany patients for regular appointments, but in some cases — such as a cancer diagnosis that requires a major discussion — it is important for our patients to have someone with them,” said Dr. Kim.
Although these changes are necessary to protect everyone’s health and safety, Dr. Kim said things definitely feel a little different.
“It feels strange not to shake hands with my patients, and I always feel like I am yelling behind my mask because I have to speak louder so my patients can understand me,” said Dr. Kim.
Increased Use of Telehealth
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providers in the Department of Urology have been utilizing telehealth — which is especially beneficial for patients who do not want to come into the office because they are immunocompromised or at high risk of COVID-19 infection and complications.
“Although some patients still need an in-person visit, televisits are a great option for patients with certain conditions who are nervous about coming to the office,” said Dr. Kim.
Precautions for Surgical and Post-Operative Care
Hackensack University Medical Center is now fully open for elective surgeries and has implemented a variety of surgical safety protocols, including pre-operative testing for COVID-19.
“Patients who are scheduled for certain in-office procedures or surgery receive a COVID-19 test as part of their pre-operative screening,” said Dr. Kim. “If a patient is asymptomatic and positive for COVID-19, they are asked to quarantine for 14 days and reschedule their elective procedure.”
If testing results are unavailable by the day of surgery, patients are treated as a “person under investigation” for COVID-19. That means that surgical teams follow all of the same protocols that they would for COVID-positive patients.
“We have separate operating rooms for non-COVID patients and COVID patients who require emergency care,” said Dr. Kim. “COVID-19 patients are treated in negative-pressure operating rooms. We follow strict protocols, such as limiting the number of staff in the room during intubation and extubation, waiting for cycles of air filtration to complete after intubation and extubation, and deep cleaning after the procedure.”
Patients who need to recover in the hospital after surgery also benefit from enhanced safety practices, including designated units for COVID and non-COVID patients.
“Because we perform most of our procedures using minimally invasive or robotic surgical techniques, our patients typically have shorter hospital stays than those who have open surgery. Some procedures can even be done on an outpatient basis,” said Dr. Kim. “Although our hospitals are safe and the risk of COVID-19 transmission is extremely low, outpatient surgeries and shorter hospital stays provide increased peace of mind for patients who are worried about being in the hospital during COVID-19.”
Prepared for the Future
Although the future of COVID-19 is uncertain and pandemic safety precautions remain in place, the Department of Urology is fully prepared to continue providing outstanding patient care.
“Experience has been our best teacher, and we now know how to adjust quickly and shift to telehealth if the number of COVID-19 cases begins to rise,” said Dr. Kim. “We receive weekly updates from Hackensack Meridian’s COVID-19 team, and we are continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation.”
According to Dr. Kim, the most important thing for patients to know is that they should not be afraid to seek urological care.
“For people who have a serious problem such as cancer or bleeding, delaying care can be just as harmful as COVID-19,” said Dr. Kim. “Our office is one of the safest places you can be because everyone is wearing a mask and taking precautions — unlike the at the beach or the grocery store.”
SOCIAL POSTS
@HackensackUMC urologists are open for business and are now performing a full range of in-office and surgical procedures. Learn about how our team has enhanced its safety measures to protect patient health during COVID-19. #healthcareheroes
Delaying urological care can be just as harmful as COVID-19 — especially if you have a serious problem such as cancer or bleeding. Learn about how you can safely access the expert urological care you need, close to home at Hackensack University Medical Center. #healthcareheroes
COVID-19 has changed how we receive medical care. Although @HackensackUMC Department of Urology has adapted its procedures and implemented new safety measures to protect the health of patients and staff during the pandemic, the outstanding quality of the urology care provided by its experts has remained unchanged. #healthcareheroes
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, @HackensackUMC urologists have implemented enhanced precautions to keep patients safe and remained unwavering in their commitment to delivering the highest-quality, most advanced urological care — whether in the office, operating room, hospital, or via telehealth. #healthcareheroes
If you need urological care, don’t delay due to COVID-19 concerns — contact @HackensackUMC Department of Urology today. With enhanced safety precautions in place, our offices and operating rooms are safe and open for business. Our expert urologists are offering a full complement of services, including in-person appointments, office procedures, telehealth visits, and surgical care. #healthcareheroes
If you’ve been putting off visiting a urologist due to COVID-19, now is the time to prioritize your urological health. Our experts have implemented enhanced safety precautions to protect patients and staff while continuing to deliver the outstanding care that has made us U.S. News and World Report‘s No. 1 Urology Department in New Jersey for six years in a row. Find out more about how we are continuing to safely care for our patients during the pandemic.
