COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

14 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE situation is dire,” said Rouhizad, a hospitalist and core faculty mem- ber at Kennestone. “My wife asked me why I was so calm, and I cited my education and exposure to these events from the Disaster and Emergency Management program.” Emergency Management Because of his multifaceted ed- ucation and experience, Rouhizad was put in charge of overseeing and cohorting the COVID-19- positive patients, as well as the patients under investigation (PUI). “Because our numbers exponen- tially increased—rising from less than a dozen to almost triple digits in a matter of weeks—we are in the process of forming a team of physicians to see only these patients,” he explained. “This min- imizes exposure to the physician group, as well as other patients.” To mitigate the spread and isolate suspected and positive- testing COVID-19 patients, the hospital erected a triage tent out- side its emergency department to care for these individuals, which allowed other hospital patients to be cared for in negative-pressure, vacuum-sealed rooms within the hospital. “We canceled all elective procedures, so our overall hospital census is low, but our COVID-19/ PUI patients have increased dramatically. The hospital also initiated checkpoints for anyone entering the building, which includes being asked a series of questions and participating in a temperature screening,” Rouhizad said. According to Rouhizad, basic treatment for COVID-19 patients involves “mostly supportive care, such as Tylenol (antipyretics), supplemental oxygen, and fluids, if needed,” he explained. “For high-risk or clinically declining patients, we have started antima- larial and antiviral medications. However, these medications were not designed to fight coronavirus and have not been clinically proven to have any benefit.” The testing conundrum punc- tuated the paradox of treating COVID-19 patients. “We cannot discharge suspected patients to their rehab facilities and assisted living homes, or even to outpatient dialysis clinics, without knowing if they are negative,” Rouhizad said. “I have discharged several positive patients to their homes under self-quarantine. However, the stress on the system is not sustainable at this rate.” War-Zone Mentality Working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis also created a situation that seemed to alter on an hourly basis. “The hospital has become a much higher-stress environment; in fact, it’s almost like a war zone. Beyond stressing effective communication and teamwork, our primary goals include risk stratification, risk minimization, personal protective equipment (PPE), and patient cohorting,” Rouhizad said. “I’m typically a very easy- going guy, but the gravity of the situation does weigh on you,” he added. Fortunately, I have a lot of support, including my wife, Paola, and my brother, Rayan Rouhizad, D.O., who graduated from the KPCOM in 2004. He works as an emergency room physician at the same hospital. In a way, we’re like the Cuomo brothers, taking over.” To remain upbeat and resist giving in to a gamut of emotions ranging from paralyzing despair to crippling anxiety, Rouhizad has relied on his copious training to focus on the positives. “I’ve mostly been at work and not on social media, so it is strange to see empty grocery-store shelves in person or see people wearing surgical masks at the gas station. But there are some silver linings during these challenging times. I feel like we appreciate our older generation now more than before, especially since I have been separated from my parents and relatives for weeks,” Rouhizad explained. “My children miss their grandparents, but we all light up whenever we call or FaceTime one another,” he added. “I’m also find- ing that people are more patient and kinder. We will get through this—together.” o “Because our numbers exponentially increased— rising from less than a dozen to almost triple digits in a matter of weeks—we are in the process of forming a team of physicians to see only these patients. This minimizes exposure to the physician group, as well as other patients.” —NASON D. ROUHIZAD FRONTLINE INSIGHTS