From an interview with
Dr. Marwan Elya
McLeod Critical Care Specialists

Intensive Care is the front line in the battle to return people to health from coronavirus. And McLeod Intensive Care Specialist Dr. Marwan Elya is there every day.

Here’s a summary of Dr. Elya’s comments:
As an ICU doctor, I’ve treated patients exposed to multiple events, such as hurricanes, traumas, accidents and the worst flu seasons. But this is different with the number of patients it affects, the severity of the illness and being a new condition.
 
To treat coronavirus patients, we have set protocols to follow the CDC guidelines and our own infection control recommendations. I feel safe following these guidelines. You should know that I’m only one of a large team. Everyone is working together, pharmacists, nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians, hospital administration, environmental services, clinical and non-clinical people. As we navigate our community through this difficult time, we have every area of the hospital working together as a team.
 
It’s very important that everyone follows the CDC guidelines. For people who are older, those with heart disease, lung disease, cancer and diabetes, symptoms may be worse and these patients are at greater risk for getting sicker. It’s very important for them to follow the CDC guidelines to help slow the spread of infection.
 
It’s advised that they practice social distancing, washing hands frequently, avoid touching face and avoid traveling. It’s very difficult not being able to visit your loved ones when they are hospitalized. We understand that our patients’ families are going through a tough time. For patients admitted with COVID-19 — or those without COVID-19 — doctors and nurses are calling the families to update them about their loved ones.  And conversely, we are feeling the support and understanding of our community.

Learn more about coronavirus (COVID-19).