'We've learned the lessons': how New York doctors treat COVID-19 and improve medical protocols

When the coronavirus began to rage in New York, doctors on the fly had to learn how to treat a previously unknown disease. Since then, they are accustomed to constantly compare their records for each patient and make adjustments as new data arise. They failed to achieve breakthroughs in treatment, but they have learned and are now providing assistance much more effectively, writes NY1.

Photo: Shutterstock

“Now we know how to deal with it. I don't want to say we've made big mistakes in the past,” said Dr. Thomas McGinn, deputy chief medical officer at Northwell Health. “I just think we’re used to it now.” We have protocols. We've sorted out the medications."

In the search for treatment options, doctors found that if patients simply flipped onto their stomachs, it could improve oxygen flow to the lungs. This discovery is the result of attempts to avoid the need for patients to be connected to mechanical ventilation devices. In addition, doctors have increased the use of blood thinners after detecting widespread blood coagulation in patients with COVID-19.

“We're currently doing a randomized trial looking at different doses and methods of administering blood thinners,” McGinn said. “And we believe that this is a key element in saving people.”

On the subject: Mysterious symptoms associated with COVID are observed in children in New York: who is at risk

Doctors have also tested the effectiveness of many medications that could help fight the virus or control the body’s immune response. One proven drug is Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial medicine advertised by President Donald Trump. But hospitals are now abandoning its use, since more effective medicines have been found.

However, there is no clarity at the moment, and the effect of many drugs is still being tested. Even the promising FDA-approved drug Remdesivir shortens the length of hospital stay for patients, but does not necessarily change the outcome of the disease.

“Is it possible that these drugs will allow some patients to survive who would not otherwise survive? “I would say the answer is probably yes,” one doctor noted. “But this must be proven by the results of tests that are just now being carried out.”

On the subject: New York is gradually defeating coronavirus: which regions will quarantine as early as May 15

Some New York hospitals are also experimenting with new treatments, such as transfusion of patients with severe COVID-19 blood plasma from convalescent patients who have developed immunity. Some institutions are also testing new stem cell therapy.

Any patient with COVID-19 who is now arriving at the hospital will find far fewer people and serious patients there than a month ago. And this means that the efforts of doctors give an effect.

Read more on Forum Daily New York.

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.