Letter from the Chief Physician Executive

Dear Colleagues,

More than ever the COVID-19 Pandemic has demonstrated the need for a strong ambulatory approach to care for sick and vulnerable patients. While the most high risk and afflicted patients require emergency and hospital care, through the COVID-19 Ambulatory Work Group we have endeavored to create a standardized approach to care for ambulatory patients with COVID-19.

During the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic we have learned to change, adapt, and apply new information to our protocols as we learn more about evidence based treatments for COVID-19.

By using a standardized approach for high risk patients that do not yet require hospitalization:

• We worked to reduce morbidity and mortality and “bend the curve” of hospitalization and emergency department care.
• We accomplished this by close clinical follow-up, virtual video visits, where indicated adjunctive care coordination and home care; home oxygen monitoring and therapy; and in certain cases monoclonal antibody infusions.
• We assisted the Physician Enterprise Practices across CommonSpirit Health develop the necessary work flows to provide COVID-19 Vaccination.
• As the pandemic continues many patients develop late sequelae from acute COVID-19 infection which requires a standardized evaluation and management process for patients with late sequelae of COVID-19.

Our gratitude to the many providers and support teams who have worked hard to create these COVID-19 Ambulatory Protocols. In this case it takes a village. Emblematic to the entire pandemic we expect and thank our teams for their ability to adjust our course as the pandemic itself evolves.