LIFESTYLE CHANGES IN THE WAY PATIENTS RECEIVE CARE THAT WILL OUTLAST COVID PROTOCOLS IN THE UNITED STATES
Covid-19 has shifted the focus of the world towards one of the major and more undermined sectors- the healthcare sector. Earlier, the government, as well as healthcare workers, were not as serious about the provisions of the healthcare sector as they are now. The Covid era has taught everyone that the whole world can shift from its stance at any point in life.
The healthcare center environment has completely changed. Several precautions are being taken, which, if applied earlier, may have stopped (or slowed) the inception of any such major disease in the first place. These changes are meant to serve not only in the Covid era but will also prove beneficial after everything is “back to normal.”
SOME MAJOR LIFESTYLE CHANGES WITNESSED BY US PATIENTS THAT WILL OUTLAST THE COVID PROTOCOLS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. MORE ICU BEDS
The US government was quite confident about its facilities in the healthcare sector. However, they faced a setback when the number of patients started surpassing the number of available hospital beds. Therefore, the government focused on procuring more beds for all hospitals, which will be a development that will help the population even after the Covid era has ended.
2. STAFFING SYSTEM
The pandemic shed light on the shortcomings in the US healthcare facilities staffing system. A 12% shortage of staff was seen in North America. This brought the problem to the attention of US medical leaders, who have begun the process of changing staffing patterns to make sure they're fully equipped moving forward. This will be helpful for the later generations as well, in terms of getting jobs and securing proper healthcare.
3. MASKS
This, of course, is a major development that has become an essential part of our lives. Even after the situation is under control, people (at least some) will continue wearing masks for their safety. Especially when visiting some healthcare centers, the visitors will wear masks to stay safe from every other person who might be infected with some disease.
We know that particles released from our nose or mouth while we sneeze, or cough is the biggest source of airborne or infectious diseases. Also, inhaling any such germ makes us susceptible to catching the disease. Due to this, masks will be used even after the pandemic, especially when going to public or crowded places.
4. BETTER EQUIPMENT
With more focus on the healthcare sector now, medical equipment has also gained importance. Hospitals have started keeping extra protective equipment in stock, such as the PPE kits and ICU equipment including ventilators, dialysis machines, infusion pumps, etc.
5. SOCIAL DISTANCING
Covid is currently one of the deadliest diseases in our lifetime and is predicted to never completely wither away from the world. Therefore, people will instinctively continue to follow the social distancing norms so that they are not prone to it or any other such disease. The most important place to practice social-distancing after the pandemic would be the hospital or other healthcare centers.
6. TELEMEDICINE
We have seen that online consultations and prescriptions have become a great option for doctors as well as patients. Earlier, its sole aim was to avoid people who might spread infection. But this practice comes with other benefits as well.
Patients can now receive consultations from the comfort of their home when they are sick and unable to go to the doctor. Also, emergency consultations can be provided when the primary doctor is not available in the clinic. This saves the doctor’s time as well as the patient, along with reducing the risk of infections. Several companies launched telemedicine solutions to accommodate the change in the landscape.
7. SAFER ICU ENVIRONMENT
It has been observed that the safety of healthcare workers is of utmost importance to make sure that the patients are safe. To maintain the safety of the healthcare workers and the patients, providing a safer ICU environment is very important.
Therefore, changes such as proper ventilation, proper setting of equipment, safer machines in the ICU, etc., are some considerations to be implemented as a result of Covid but will continue to benefit the public even after the pandemic.
8. IMMUNITY
Higher importance will be given to the immunity of every patient. At the same time, short-term and long-term treatments, immunity-boosting medicines, and lifestyle changes will be recommended.
The most important thing about the human body, which nearly everyone in the US realized during the pandemic, is that their core strength is tied to their immunity. To stay healthy, you need to fight every disease trying to enter your body. This can be done only if your immunity is strong.
Therefore, the pandemic has opened the eyes of the authorities, who can now see the leaks in the healthcare sector. Taking care of these leaks will benefit not only the current scenario but will also outlast Covid protocols in the United States.
