Tuesday, March 22, 2022

UMC Remains Leader in Covid-19 Response

 Ruth Cummins authored the following UMC press release. 

When the first COVID-19 patient arrived in March 2020 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the state’s only safety net hospital was already honing its focus on the global public health emergency.

That’s the daily mindset of Mississippi’s only academic medical center and the leader in providing specialty services to care for the sickest of the sick and traumatically injured. Over the next two years, UMMC has brought all of its resources to bear on a disaster that so far in Mississippi has claimed 12,336 lives and sickened 793,635, both conservative numbers, most recent statistics from the Mississippi State Department of Health show.

That full-scale operation continues today. The front-line heroes of the Medical Center are in their third year of courageously giving care to highly infectious patients, holding their hands, even as some take their last breath.

“I’m proud of our workforce and their commitment and willingness to care for patients, even amidst their own anxieties and fears,” said Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs and a veteran emergency room physician.

“We should be proud as an institution for leading the way in the state’s clinical response, and working with the Mississippi State Department of Health to get therapies out and take care of large volumes of people – to find a way to make what seemed impossible, possible.”

COVID-19 continues to be unpredictable, with one patient having no symptoms and the next gravely ill in UMMC’s intensive care unit. The Medical Center’s leadership has made many decisions since early 2020 that were purposeful, collaborative and often swift to protect the health of Mississippians and fulfill UMMC’s obligation to use its resources to be innovative in times of disaster and great need.

Among the earliest milestones that defined UMMC’s pandemic leadership role:

In early January 2020, the Medical Center’s infectious medicine prevention and control team led by Dr. Jason Parham and Dr. Bhagyashri Navalkele formulated policies and procedures for screening patients and visitors for the virus. They educated employees and scores of Mississippians on the ever-changing science of COVID-19.

A leadership team guided the Medical Center’s robust response: Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, as incident commander; Jones, clinical response leader; and Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Wilson, incident manager.

UMMC’s Center for Telehealth vaulted to the front lines of the pandemic response, ramping up virtual visits to make care safer and more accessible. From Feb. 20-March 20, 2020, there was a 286 percent increase in telehealth visits and an increase in telehealth users by 5,704 percent.

UMMC partnered with the Mississippi State Department of Health to provide widespread collection of swab samples for COVID-19 testing beginning March 23, 2020, at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. The initiative soon spread statewide, with tens of thousands tested at drive-through stations in communities large and tiny. The online tool Mississippians used to schedule their testing appointment was developed by UMMC Department of Information Systems and that application is still in use today.

Medical Center scientists and laboratory team members provided a huge boost to Mississippi’s ability to manage the pandemic when they developed an in-house COVID-19 test in just two weeks, running the first samples March 26, 2020. To date, they’ve tested 425,000 samples.

A Medical Center anesthesiologist in April 2020 created a ventilator, using a garden hose and other items found at hardware stores or online, for use should UMMC’s supply fall short. The ventilator received emergency-use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration but was never put into use.

UMMC increased access to care by creating a mobile field clinic in a campus parking garage for patients with respiratory issues who weren’t ill enough for a trip to the emergency room.

The Medical Center moved swiftly to provide COVID-19 therapies following their emergency FDA approval, including the antiviral drug Remdesivir. UMMC set up a parking garage clinic exclusively for monoclonal antibody treatment in summer 2021, offering hope to patients with moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.

Amidst record staffing shortages, UMMC leaders worked with the Department of Defense and the nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse in summer 2021 to erect fully functional hospital tents in campus parking garages, easing the crushing numbers of COVID-19 patients in the Emergency Department and the ICUs.

“We continue to lead the state in the amount of ICU services,” Jones said. “We are obviously out front and vocal on getting people vaccinated, and having outreach into communities with lower vaccination rates.”

Mississippi MED-COM, a part of UMMC’s Mississippi Center for Emergency Services, has facilitated the transfer of hundreds of seriously ill COVID-19 patients from hospitals around the state to the Medical Center for a higher level of care and led coordination of emergency medical transport and patient transfers statewide.

 “Our call volume increased by about 1,500 calls a month,” said Stephen Houck, clinical director of MED-COM, Mississippi’s emergency medical and disaster response clearinghouse staffed 24/7 by paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

“I look back at how flexible and nimble we had to be. It’s good to see that goes way beyond a four-day disaster,” Houck said. “This is probably the longest disaster we’ve ever had to deal with.”

Today, the number of COVID-19 inpatients at the Medical Center is at one of the lowest marks since the early months of the pandemic. On March 22, 2022 that number was 30 patients who were either confirmed positive (4), being investigated for possible COVID-19 (3), or convalescing but no longer contagious (23). Of the 30, five were children.

Registered intensive care nurse Mellisa Collins is relieved that the numbers are better. She remembers her worst moments over the last two years – and the joy brought through healing.

“Five members of the Choctaw community died in one day. Bringing in family to see them for the last time ... It was very emotional,” said Collins, in her 11th year in the Medical ICU.

But another COVID-19 patient, a member of the military, spent more than four months in the ICU. “There were several times when our providers told his wife she needed to brace for the worst,” Collins said. “He made it.”

Days after UMMC saw its first COVID-19 patient, the Medical Center’s response evolved into a new stage: Initiating or taking part in clinical trials and studies on how to treat the virus, adding significantly to the growing body of knowledge nationally and internationally.

To date, that’s 38 clinical trials or studies. “By getting involved early on, we established a place to gather objective data to benefit our patients, if not in that moment, in the future,” said Dr. Gailen Marshall, the R. Faser Triplett Chair of Allergy and Immunology.

“Before the pandemic, we had a more modest reputation for our clinical trials. That expanded almost exponentially during the first year of the COVID crisis,” Marshall said. “We had to start turning down studies, and we continue to turn down some new studies because of limited resources. We’re at near capacity for doing clinical trials, and it’s never been that way in the 18 years I’ve been on campus.”

Marshall is UMMC’s lead investigator for a massive nationwide effort to understand who is most likely to develop long COVID and how to treat and prevent it. It’s called RECOVER, or Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery, and includes patients with persistent symptoms 30 or more days after diagnosis.

“You want to know why,” said Gloria Banks of Jackson, a study participant and January 2021 survivor of COVID-19 severe enough to require hospitalization at UMMC. “You just wonder how some people are affected so much worse than others. I didn’t bounce back.”

The nursing staff showed its resilience by pushing through a year and a half of exhaustion and mental strife, of suffering and death and their own sickness from COVID-19, of persecution by those who denied the threat and shunned the vaccine, and for some, doubts about whether to stay in their profession.

“Our employees have pulled through this as a team. They have a higher sense of duty to the state and the patients we serve,” Jones said.

Even though nurses around her retired or left for other jobs, Collins stayed. One reason is hard-wired into her very being: “I know that UMMC takes care of the sickest of the sick,” she said.

“At UMMC, when we have issues arise, people are willing to listen to our creative ideas. My opinions are heard, and I have the ability to change patient care. That’s why I’m here.”

The Medical Center’s nurses, Woodward said, have been through a sustained traumatic event.

“It’s good to have the feeling that things are getting back to normal, and to have days where things are going well. But it will take much more time before we recover and catch up with the staffing we need,” Woodward said. “We have a long road ahead of us.”

But along the way, Houck said, “we’ve learned plenty about COVID.”

“There’s a sense that there will be additional peaks of the virus that come our way, and it’s likely to continue for some time. We just have to take what we’ve learned through this and try to apply those principals,” Jones said.

“We have to understand that while being in the middle of a peak is difficult, you will get through it and come out on the other side.”

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What kind of press release is this?

Anonymous said...

Hugh, is that you?

Anonymous said...

NEWS RELEASE!!!

I woke up this morning just like every morning since covid started. I did my job. Yes, there were days when the unexpected happened. I adjusted and still did my job. It was stressful. I'm a hero.

Anonymous said...

Leader? Leaders don't usually just follow the mainstream narrative or conventional medical treatments. Hey, you tested positive with Covid now go home but be sure to come back to us when you can't breathe so we can stick a needle in your arm and inject you with an EUA drug that'll murder your kidneys and when that doesn't work we'll stick a hose down your windpipe. Yep, leaders.

Anonymous said...

"Go home and drink plenty of water. Come back to the ER when you can't breathe and we'll hook you up to the cash register, I mean ventilator". Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Oh gawd, another press release announcing somebody developed policies & procedures for something. If you're really a leader, do you have to constantly tell everybody? Does Nick Saban have to tell everybody he's a leading football coach? Does Superman have to tell everybody he's faster than a speeding bullet? No to both questions, because everybody already knows those things. A better press release would highlight how the lessons learned from COVID are helping prepare UMMC for the future.

Anonymous said...

I am just frustrated and tired of UMC administrators tell us how great they are. Surely if they continue to pat their own back, they will need surgery. Do like the rest of us and do your job and stop creating pseudo heros. Doctors do doctor things, nurses do nurse things. Its the job, DO IT

Anonymous said...

Well shucks. No audit recommended on who died 'with' or 'from' covid? No mention of the millions of dollars dished out for procedures that murdered people daily. I wouldn't take a stray dog to that place.

Anonymous said...

Dear UMMC, it would be best if you have benchmark data that compares you with similar institutions to show that you are indeed a leader in whatever. Or better yet, cite third-party recognition from a respected professional / medical / educational association. Otherwise, I could claim to be a leader in heart health because I take a low-dosage aspirin everyday.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like an inventory of accomplishments that a doofus community college president publishes in a self-aggrandizing attempt to save their own sorry ass - especially when knowing their contract isn't likely to be renewed.

UMC is clearly angling for as much good press as they could even hope to get...they're about to get dumped by Blue Cross for being assholes...like some community college presidents do.

Anonymous said...

Toot your own horn much?

Anonymous said...

Just when I thought medical professional egos could not be anymore inflated.

Thank you to the doctors who tried to do your job effectively and don't seek a trophy for it, and in spite of the government.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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