Florida hospitals are ready to care for non-coronavirus patients

Patients ignored chest pain for days only to arrive at the hospital in cardiac arrest. Other patients ignored seizures until their situation became more severe. And a study by the Cleveland Clinic found a 38% decrease in patients presenting to the hospital with stroke and heart attack symptoms since onset of the pandemic. As fear of being exposed to the novel coronavirus consumed the public, it also kept people away from seeking critical medical attention, several doctors told Gov. Ron DeSantis this weekend during two visits to hospitals. More from the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.

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» DeSantis, hospitals consider surgeries, other procedures

Pharmacists will soon be able to test patients for COVID-19

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that he would direct State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests. DeSantis is also considering whether Florida should enter a "Phase Two'" in its COVID-19 response. [Source: WUSF]

Can nursing homes dedicated to virus patients stop spread?

A few states may have found a way to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes by converting some of them into “recovery centers” set aside mostly for residents who have left the hospital but still might be contagious or lack immunity. Critics worry about harming frail, elderly residents by transferring them to make room in repurposed nursing homes. But some public health experts and advocates see potential in combating further infection and freeing up hospital space. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Retired health workers could suit up again in Florida

To encourage more participation in the state’s COVID-19 response, the Florida Department of Health announced Thursday that retired health care workers in good standing can apply to have their licenses reactivated. "During these times, it is vital that all Floridians are able to seek quality medical attention from licensed practitioners,” state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said. [Source: WJXT]

Patients are being billed for some phone chats with doctors that used to be free

Patients say doctors and insurers are charging them upfront for video appointments and phone calls — and not just copays but sometimes the entire cost of the visit, even if it's covered by insurance. Despite what politicians have promised, insurers said they were not able to immediately eliminate telehealth copays for millions of members who carry their cards but receive coverage through self-insured employers. [Source: Health News Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› These Tampa Bay nurses went to help in NYC. They have stories. [Tampa Bay Times]
A small group of recent master’s graduates from the University of South Florida College of Nursing have volunteered this month to leave their Florida jobs for New York City — the epicenter for COVID-19 infections in the United States. Every day, they see the sickest of the sick, and far more death than they had ever witnessed.

› Florida Blue announces new health insurance solution to help bolster Florida's underserved small and medium-sized businesses [Florida Trend]
Florida Blue today announced Truli for Health (Truli), an affiliate of Florida Blue and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, as a new health maintenance organization designed to provide Florida's small and medium-sized employers with affordable, quality health insurance solutions for their employees.

› Florida hospital employees celebrate doctor’s road to recovery from COVID-19 with favorite song [WWSB]
A family whose loved one has been battling COVID-19 got to celebrate along with the staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, by serenading their loved one with one of his favorite tunes. After fighting for his life for 25 days in the COVID-19 critical care unit, longtime pediatrician and Navy veteran Steve Hefler celebrated his move to a step-down unit.

› Burnette, Rivers donate 10,000 protective masks to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare [Tallahassee Democrat]
Tallahassee business duo Kim Rivers and John "J.T." Burnette have donated 10,000 KN95 masks to help Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare during the coronavirus outbreak. TMH CEO Mark O'Bryant thanked Rivers and Burnette in a Friday letter, saying the masks are increasingly in limited supply and are essential in the hospital's efforts to provide high quality care to COVID-19 patients.