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At the Hospitals
n Atrium Health Uses Telemedicine equipment and more rigorous operating communities in Charlotte. Using a nationally
procedures; shifting Levine Cancer Institute’s leading model of integrating actionable
to Treat Eligible COVID-19 Patients Nurse Navigator program to telephone and Geographical Information System (GIS)
virtual platforms; instituting an alternative data with mobile medical units, Atrium
at Home staffing schedule with teams that are “on” Health professionals are able to screen
and “off” for 14-day shifts, matching the and immediately test for COVID-19 when
Atrium Health is using a new and incubation period for COVID-19 to ensure a patients’ symptoms meet the testing criteria.
innovative program to help appropriate constant supply of COVID-negative staff; and
patients who have been diagnosed with implementing clinical trials and pathways for Other determinants of health with patients
COVID-19 to receive safe and convenient physicians to help with research and offer the also are being assessed, including the ability
treatment while they recover at home. latest treatments to patients. to socially isolate and quarantine, and make
connections to resources needed to address
Atrium Health’s COVID-19 Virtual The full paper may be read by visiting https:// social needs.
Hospital is designed to protect the patient’s ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/OP.20.00225.
health, the health of others and to prevent Community members in the identified
further spread of the infection. The program n Atrium Health Welcomes New Senior underserved areas do not need an
shows promise for monitoring and treating appointment or a physician referral. Anyone
patients with other illnesses once the Vice President, Chief Government experiencing symptoms, including fever,
COVID-19 pandemic subsides. cough, shortness of breath and loss of
Relations Officer smell and/or taste, can visit a Coronavirus
The COVID-19 Virtual Hospital is using Testing Center to be screened for immediate
telemedicine to treat patients who don’t Atrium Health has announced the COVID-19 testing. Those with certain
require ICU level of care, by remotely medical conditions could be at a higher
monitoring vital signs 24 hours a day. This appointment of Kristen Morris as senior vice risk for severe illness related to COVID-19,
virtual hospital attends to two levels of care: including chronic lung disease or moderate
observation care and acute care. The care president and chief government relations to severe asthma, serious heart conditions,
team monitors blood pressure, oxygen levels diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing
and temperature while the patient recovers officer. Morris will help continue dialysis and liver disease.
safely at home.
Atrium Health’s role in defining The ability to pay is not an inhibiting
Eligible patients receive a COVID-19 factor for those who need to be screened
Home Monitoring Kit that includes a blood the future of health care through and tested. Testing is available to those who
pressure monitor, pulse oximeter (measures do not have insurance coverage, as well as
blood oxygen and heart rate), thermometer thoughtful leadership at the those with coverage or who are covered by
and detailed instructions for use. Patients a government program. Atrium Health does
monitor and log their vital signs several times local, state and federal levels. not share patients’ immigration status and
a day and have daily check-in calls, along with does not report if a patient is undocumented.
an in-home visit with a healthcare provider. She has nearly 30 years of
There also is a 24/7 technical support line for Advertising
any questions about the devices. Kristen Morris healthcare strategic government Acknowledgements
n Levine Cancer Institute Sets relations experience, including her most The following patrons made
Mecklenburg Medicine possible.
Standards for Cancer Care recent position as chief government and
Arthritis & Osteoporosis Consultants
During the Pandemic community relations officer at the Cleveland of the Carolinas...........................................12
Under the guidance of Derek Raghavan, Clinic. In this position, she directed corporate Atrium Health.............................................11
MD, president, Levine Cancer Institute
recently was published in JCO Oncology social responsibility and advocacy strategies, Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center............3
Practice discussing how to continue providing
quality cancer care during a pandemic. and she played a key role in the Cleveland Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat
Associates......................................................3
Among the steps presented were developing Clinic’s mission to transform the health and
a specific clinic for COVID-positive “well” Fogg Media...................................................3
patients (without clinical syndrome of viral wellbeing of the communities it serves in the
infection) with increased personal protective Novant Health...............................................2
United States and abroad. Morris also led the
Tryon Medical Partners................................9
Cleveland Clinic’s community health five-
year strategic plan.
Prior to joining the Cleveland Clinic,
Morris was the divisional vice president of
Federal Government Relations for Abbott
Laboratories, a Fortune 100 company,
where she led the company’s Washington,
D.C. office. She also led Boehringer
Ingelheim’s government relations, a top
pharmaceutical company, and spent eight
years as the vice president of legislative
affairs for the American Hospital Association.
n Atrium Health Offers COVID-19
Testing in Underserved and
Minority Communities
Atrium Health is offering Coronavirus
Testing Centers specifically aimed at
addressing underserved and minority
8 | June 2020 • Mecklenburg Medicine
