Quad County Helps in Fight Against COVID-19

The coronavirus has changed the way many departments at Pana Community Hospital are operating on a day to day basis and Quad County Home Health is no different.  Since the pandemic began, Quad County nurses have been rethinking healthcare to provide care to the homebound patients in our community.

Quad County is now using telemonitoring to check on our vulnerable patients in the home health and hospice program.    Tom Culberson, Quad County Director of Homecare Programs stated they are now using technology to check on our patients without physically going into their homes.  “We can check in with patients on the computer using TEAMS video teleconferencing as well as other approved avenues such as FaceTime, Skype, etc.  We never want to replace an in person visit; but we can use this to supplement our patient’s care and provide more staff visibility to our patients.  This allows us to have daily interaction with our patients while maintaining safe distancing practices that are proven to slow the spread of COVID19” stated Culberson. 

In addition to this we have dedicated nurses who contact patients who have been tested for COVID19.  If the patient tests positive, they are offered telemonitoring and access to our afterhours number to provide the support they need through the healing process.  One patient who recently tested positive said this about Quad County:  “I cannot say thank you enough to Quad County for helping me during this time.  I was sick and scared, but they helped me through the process. A nurse called me every single day to check on me.  They were educated and confident in their advice, answered questions, and were up to date on the latest information concerning COVID-19.  They made sure I was doing well physically but also offered counseling if I was struggling emotionally.  They were very compassionate; calming my fears and advising me on how to keep my family safe and even asking about the well being of my elderly mother who I was concerned about.  I am thankful for everything they have done for me and my family.”

Many of the techniques Quad County is using during this pandemic could become part of care going forward.  “We have learned a lot during this process and have found through this learning curve that we can improve the care we provide our homebound patients by connecting with the patients between in person visits or possibly using it after hours for an immediate face-to-face response with our patients.”  Although some processes have changed, many duties of the Quad County staff have remained the same.  “Just because we have a stay at home order in place, doesn’t mean our jobs can stop,” Culberson added.  Our nurses, nursing assistants and therapist continue to provide professional personal care to home health and hospice patients, and our home medical equipment and supplies continue to provide necessary equipment for the health and wellbeing of our customers.    “I am very proud of the staff members who are working hard to go the extra mile and help in any way they are needed.  We are very fortunate to have such an innovative and skilled team to care for the people in our communities” Culberson concluded.     

Photo Caption:
Quad County nurse, Christy Bolyard, RN counsels a home health patient using telemonitoring