On May 8, Gov. Andy Beshear signed an Executive Order regarding the final directives for Phases III and IV of the reopening of healthcare services in Kentucky. The issue of preoperative testing was one of the items addressed by the Order. Specifically, the Order states, “All surgical/procedural patients must have a COVID-19 pre-procedure screening and/or testing in accordance with specialty-specific and/or professional association guidelines consistent with the guidance of the Kentucky Department of Public Health.” In addition, the Order also

KMA is sharing the first-person accounts of physicians from across the state as they prepare for and battle the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories will also be published at kyma.org/covid19. If you are interested in submitting an account, please email Emily Schott, schott@kyma.org.  KMA spoke to Wayne Tuckson, M.D., FASCRS, FACS, Colorectal Surgeon and KET host and producer of “Kentucky Health” and “Coronavirus: A Kentucky Update” and WHAS Radio host of “Centered on Health with Baptist Health”   What I Did During the

Due to the recent discovery of Kawasaki-like illness in children with evidence of recent infection with COVID-19, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) is requesting reporting of potential cases of what has been named, “Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Associated with COVID-19” or “PMIS.”  Clinician Guidance explaining what needs to be reported with respect to this syndrome, and how to report it to KDPH, is available here. KDPH will also be hosting its next COVID-19 Clinician and Public Health Update

Phase III of Gov. Andy Beshear’s four-part plan to reopen healthcare services in Kentucky, begins today, May 13. Hospitals and care facilities can begin doing non-emergency surgeries and procedures at 50% of their pre-COVID-19-era patient volume. For more information, visit kycovid19.ky.gov. In Your Own Words: Toni Ganzel, M.D., Dean, University of Louisville School of Medicine KMA is sharing the first-person accounts of physicians from across the state as they prepare for and battle the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories will also

  KMA is sharing the first-person accounts of physicians from across the state as they prepare for and battle the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories will also be published at kyma.org/covid19. If you are interested in submitting an account, please email Emily Schott, schott@kyma.org.  KMA spoke to Toni Ganzel, M.D., Dean, University of Louisville School of Medicine As with all practices, people and industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a disruption like we’d never imagined. Our Provost recently termed this the “semester with

Gov. Andy Beshear has signed an Executive Order regarding the final directives for Phases III and IV of the reopening of healthcare services in Kentucky. A change was made to the visitation policy, effective May 13, which now states that a healthcare facility may allow one visitor/support person per patient at the discretion of the facility and based on the best judgement of the facility to protect patients, visitors and staff. All visitors must be screened for temperature and COVID-19

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has made additional COVID-19 data available on its website. Kycovid19.ky.gov now contains an interactive map of testing centers, as well as a demographic breakdown of confirmed positive cases. As of May 7, Kentucky has recorded 6,1128 cases of COVID-19 and 294 deaths. Executive Orders on Healthcare Reopening Gov. Beshear has signed two new Executive Orders regarding the requirements for healthcare facilities to resume services during the phased reopening process. These directives,

KMA is sharing the first-person accounts of physicians from across the state as they prepare for and battle the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories will also be published at kyma.org/covid19. If you are interested in submitting an account, please email Emily Schott, schott@kyma.org.  KMA spoke to Charles Papp, M.D. regarding telehealth and his work advocating for solutions to some of its challenges, which were recently recognized by Congressman Andy Barr. As a physician in private practice, I’ve dealt with COVID-19, both clinically and

As reported in earlier Member News Alerts, Wednesday, May 6 marked the beginning of Phase II of the reopening of healthcare services. Gov. Beshear recently signed a new Executive Order detailing the requirements for facilities to reopen in this phase. The new directive is available here. In Your Own Words: Charles Papp, M.D. KMA is sharing the first-person accounts of physicians from across the state as they prepare for and battle the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories will also be published

KMA and the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) have released a 30 second joint public service announcement encouraging patients to continue to seek necessary care from physicians and hospitals and educating them on some of the changes they may experience as the healthcare system reopens. “The New Normal” advises Kentuckians that while telehealth will still be the preferred method of receiving non-urgent/emergent care, patients shouldn’t put off in-person visits to their physician or hospital if their needs require it. The PSA