Back in early spring, when COVID-19 first hit the United States, there was much talk about a “second wave” coming in the fall. Now that the month of September is here, the talks have ramped up again, creating a sense of anxiety and anticipation across the country. So, how can NJ healthcare organizations prepare for the possible second wave of COVID-19?
New Jersey’s Second Wave
While New Jersey has been at a stable baseline since June, the chance of a second wave affecting the state is still a very real possibility. Dr. Robert E. Segal, a top infectious disease expert at ID Care, believes the management of COVID-19 in the coming months will depend upon how well healthcare organizations follow the protocols and procedures learned from the first wave.
These procedures and protocols have been created by infectious disease specialists, like ID Care, to give healthcare facilities the best chances at better outcomes for patients and staff. So when considering what your organization needs to do to prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19, an infectious disease consultation, and perhaps even a longer-term infectious disease management plan, is no longer a nice-to-have, but a necessity.
Understanding the Second Wave of COVID-19 in Light of the First
The concern for the second wave of COVID-19 is that as the weather gets cooler, the risk of transmission could become greater. This is because as people move indoors ( i.e. children going back to school, indoor dining, businesses reopening offices, etc. ) social distancing and wearing masks consistently will become harder. So will a possible second wave be worse than the first wave?
“It depends on how diligent people are in practicing social distancing and mask wearing,” said Dr. Segal. “It could be worse, and if it is, shame on us for not learning from the first wave.”
New Jersey was hit hard by the first wave of COVID-19 and ID Care was responsible for treating over 25% of the hospitalized cases in the state. During that time, ID Care and Dr. Segal learned invaluable lessons on how healthcare organizations can better prepare for the second wave. “We were completely in the dark the first time around,” said Dr. Segal. “It was like nothing we’d seen before and by the time we had a chance to educate the public, [COVID-19] had already taken over.”
Dr. Segal is hoping that won’t be the case in the coming months. New Jersey is currently at a low baseline for COVID-19 with a vested public that understands the steps needed to prevent the transmission of the disease. In addition, political leadership in the state has been very diligent in cooperating with infectious disease specialists, like ID Care, in creating and implementing the proper guidelines for navigating this unprecedented pandemic.
However, New Jersey healthcare organizations still need to be ready. So how can NJ healthcare organizations prepare for the possible second wave of COVID-19? If a possible second wave does hit, healthcare facilities will once again become the lynchpin for public health and following proper protocols will make all the difference in limiting the number of infections and deaths due to COVID-19.
Preparing for the Second Wave of COVID-19
“The first wave was so overwhelming, it was nearly impossible to monitor and do proper testing,” said Dr. Segal. However, given the lessons learned from the first wave, there are precautions that can be taken to ensure healthcare organizations are ready this time around.
“It’s all about preparedness,” said Dr. Segal.
Many healthcare organizations (by no fault of their own) were underprepared for the first wave of COVID-19. Lack of resources became a central theme for a country that struggled to fight off an unknown illness. The possibility of a second wave brings much of the same fears. In fact, many healthcare organizations across New Jersey are worried that a lack of resources may be even worse if a second wave were to hit this fall and winter, given the chances of the flu and COVID-19 infecting people at the same time.
Dr. Segal is taking an optimistic view on the flu and COVID-19. He tells us to remember that the precautions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 (social distancing, mask wearing, etc.) also prevent the spread of the flu. That being said, the number of sick will increase in the colder months, and healthcare organizations need to be prepared. So how can NJ healthcare organizations prepare for the possible second wave of COVID-19? It will be imperative for healthcare facilities to secure more PPE, reserve floors for COVID-19 patients, and bring in additional respirators and additional staff.
The New State Mandate
However, the most important measure your organization can take in combatting the possible second wave of COVID-19 is to follow the lead of a NEW state mandate created for long-term care facilities:
Infectious disease protocols have been overlooked in the past. But in light of this pandemic, New Jersey has put a stake in the ground when it comes to the importance of infectious disease control for long-term care facilities. However, the change can’t stop there. If we have learned anything from the past months, it’s that Infectious disease control is a public health concern that should be taken more seriously. ID Care believes the change of protocols for long-term care facilities is long overdue, however the hiring of a permanent infectious disease specialist on staff should be considered by all healthcare facilities in New Jersey moving forward.
Infectious disease consultation and management can be crucial in helping your organization combat the second wave of COVID-19, and perhaps more importantly, could prove to be invaluable in establishing protocols for improved patient care, better outcomes, and reduced costs — both short-term and over time.
How Can ID Care Help
ID Care is a diversified infectious disease services medical practice that provides infectious disease consultations and solutions to many types of healthcare organizations, including:
- Health systems
- Hospitals
- Physician practices
- Long-term care
- Skilled nursing rehabilitation
- Surgical facilities
- Ambulatory surgical centers
- Rehabilitation and sub-acute facilities
- Nursing homes
- Residential medical institutions
- Other healthcare settings
As a longtime infectious disease leader that has grown to be the largest infectious disease practice in NJ, ID Care can help organizations both large and small seamlessly adhere to NEW state regulations. By providing an in-depth consultation to your organization, ID Care can not only prepare your facility/facilities for the potential of a second wave of COVID-19, but also provide a long-term plan for improving overall infection control, isolation policies, employee health procedures, and more. Plus, with an experienced team of over 50 expert physicians on staff, there is always an infectious disease consultant available to you, ready to share resources, time, and knowledge. Other specific solutions for your organization may include, but are not limited to:
- Management of infectious disease services
- Teaching programs
- Infection control
- Antibiotic formulary management
- Microbiology laboratory oversight
- Regulatory responsibilities
Safeguard Your Organization Today
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ID Care has helped healthcare organizations across New Jersey create and implement the most effective protocols for handling the surge in patients. To date, ID Care has helped treat more than 25% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the state and is ready to help your healthcare organization prepare for the possible second wave of COVID-19, in addition to any other infectious disease needs. Simply give us a call at 908-281-0610 to schedule a consultation with an ID Care expert or visit idcare.com to learn more.