Working a new covid contract now; it?s on a larger scale, and it?s worse.
Lots of the patients who are Covid positive have no symptoms. They are in the hospital for something completely unrelated. They wouldn?t be admitted to the hospital at all if not for their admitted reason (such as trauma, homelessness, stroke, heart attack, and severe wounds). The new thing is These patients are being transferred off covid units to regular floors now. The infectious disease doctor has been releasing them 2-5 days after a positive antibody test or 10 days after the first covid + test. Both of course Only if the patient is afebrile and asymptomatic. I think this is guesswork, and I?m not really a fan, but I guess these recommendations have come with research that maybe I?m not privy to? I?m skeptical of them no longer being contagious.
For the symptomatic covid patients needing over 2L of supplemental Oxygen, here?s what I am seeing. Treatment with Remdesivir (Rem-D) for 5 days and one infusion of convalescent plasma. I think both of these treatments are about worthless unfortunately. The Bamlamivimab (BamBam) I have never given, and I only know of it being given in the ER or outpatient to covid + patients who do not need supplemental Oxygen. I have had a few coworkers who took it and said it helped.
Lots of sad cases are the norm. Mostly elderly people who are Oxygen dependent and often on a BIPAP all the time or in the ICU on a ventilator. About half have terrible diarrhea. Lots of them make the decision to be a DNR. Usually they can?t even come off the BIPAP long enough to drink much less eat. They don?t have any taste anyway, so they have no appetite. They waste away and die slowly, and there?s nothing else really to be done for them. If they can?t come off the BIPAP in a few days, they usually never do. They aren?t allowed visitors until they die. Makes a lot of sense, huh? It?s heart-breaking. I try to encourage transfer to Hospice where visitors are allowed. The nurse calls the family contact person for each person each shift to update since there are no visitors, and many patients can?t talk on the phone. I try to do some FaceTime calls as well if possible.
It?s not always the elderly though. I have seen patients in the 30s/40s/50s/etc on up die.
I take my supplements, pray, and have lots of people praying for me. My wife is working now too doing the same thing as I. Wear your masks please. Wash your hands, and don?t participate in crowded events. I hope you all stay well (best wishes hedgehog who I saw had it). I have many more thoughts, but I?m not saying anything political. Anybody with half a brain knows who is to blame for a great deal of covid-19 in the USA.
PS. I have not been vaccinated yet nor had the opportunity to get the vaccine. I did get an email yesterday though with a process to get it. I probably will, but I?m still undecided. I would recommend anyone over 65, people who have ?front-line? contact, and anybody with severe medical conditions to get the vaccination when available.
Lots of the patients who are Covid positive have no symptoms. They are in the hospital for something completely unrelated. They wouldn?t be admitted to the hospital at all if not for their admitted reason (such as trauma, homelessness, stroke, heart attack, and severe wounds). The new thing is These patients are being transferred off covid units to regular floors now. The infectious disease doctor has been releasing them 2-5 days after a positive antibody test or 10 days after the first covid + test. Both of course Only if the patient is afebrile and asymptomatic. I think this is guesswork, and I?m not really a fan, but I guess these recommendations have come with research that maybe I?m not privy to? I?m skeptical of them no longer being contagious.
For the symptomatic covid patients needing over 2L of supplemental Oxygen, here?s what I am seeing. Treatment with Remdesivir (Rem-D) for 5 days and one infusion of convalescent plasma. I think both of these treatments are about worthless unfortunately. The Bamlamivimab (BamBam) I have never given, and I only know of it being given in the ER or outpatient to covid + patients who do not need supplemental Oxygen. I have had a few coworkers who took it and said it helped.
Lots of sad cases are the norm. Mostly elderly people who are Oxygen dependent and often on a BIPAP all the time or in the ICU on a ventilator. About half have terrible diarrhea. Lots of them make the decision to be a DNR. Usually they can?t even come off the BIPAP long enough to drink much less eat. They don?t have any taste anyway, so they have no appetite. They waste away and die slowly, and there?s nothing else really to be done for them. If they can?t come off the BIPAP in a few days, they usually never do. They aren?t allowed visitors until they die. Makes a lot of sense, huh? It?s heart-breaking. I try to encourage transfer to Hospice where visitors are allowed. The nurse calls the family contact person for each person each shift to update since there are no visitors, and many patients can?t talk on the phone. I try to do some FaceTime calls as well if possible.
It?s not always the elderly though. I have seen patients in the 30s/40s/50s/etc on up die.
I take my supplements, pray, and have lots of people praying for me. My wife is working now too doing the same thing as I. Wear your masks please. Wash your hands, and don?t participate in crowded events. I hope you all stay well (best wishes hedgehog who I saw had it). I have many more thoughts, but I?m not saying anything political. Anybody with half a brain knows who is to blame for a great deal of covid-19 in the USA.
PS. I have not been vaccinated yet nor had the opportunity to get the vaccine. I did get an email yesterday though with a process to get it. I probably will, but I?m still undecided. I would recommend anyone over 65, people who have ?front-line? contact, and anybody with severe medical conditions to get the vaccination when available.
