Athletic trainers pitch in to support COVID-19 efforts
It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation for hospitals and with Detroit’s professional and amateur sports sidelined, Henry Ford athletic trainers are applying their skill set to support frontline caregivers during the COVID-19 crisis.
“I admire the dedication and willingness of our athletic trainers to quickly shift their focus from their normal daily operations to the unique patient and staffing needs that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Robert Albers, D.O., a sports medicine primary care physician referring to the response to the hospitals all-hands-on-deck situation.
Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multiskilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. They work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes and traditionally work in outreach settings across secondary schools, college/university and professional teams.
Some of the work that these teams will be doing during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
• COVID-19 health screenings for employees, incoming patients and essential visitors, and communicating new visitor policy.
• Assisting in emergency rooms and walk-in clinics.
• Transporting patients to isolation wings ensuring safety protocols are followed.
• Reaching out to pharmacy patients to encourage the use of Henry Ford’s Pharmacy Advantage mail order service, confirming information and helping package prescriptions for delivery.
• Rehabilitating patients with orthopedic injuries that need essential care.
• A small percentage of athletic trainers have maintained their outreach-focused roles to ensure that the health care of athletes is continued, with both inperson as appropriate and via telehealth channels.
“I am confident that their skill sets will allow them to play a critical role in supporting our medical community during this time of need,” added Albers.”
In Michigan, athletic trainers are licensed health care providers through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the same governing body that regulates licensing for physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses and physical therapists.
“Given that our national and local efforts have shifted to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am very proud of our athletic trainers for utilizing their expertise and skill set for the continuum of patient care,” said Christina Eyers, director of athletic training and community outreach at Henry Ford Health System.
Kady O’Connell and her team of 30 athletic trainers are pitching in to help with employee, patient screening and pharmacy mail order shipments.
“We all share the same mindset that we are all in this together and that’s the only way we can get through this situation,” she said. “Our team is very adaptable and wherever we can lend a hand, we’re very happy to help.”