Rima M. Dafer, Nicholas Osteraas, Jose Biller
We would like to thank Dr. Mammi and her coauthors for sharing their clinical experience delivering speech and language rehabilitation for stroke patients at the Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, at the University Hospital of Parma during COVID-19 outbreak.
Healthcare professionals have been on the frontline of the pandemic, while continuing to preserve and to deliver the best effective quality care for stroke patients. In the midst of the outbreak, we advocated leveraging virtual evaluations when possible via telehealth to keep both patients and staff safe. Patients on the inpatient stroke and rehabilitation units however required face-to-face consultations and intensive evaluations, at times on a daily basis. Thus, modifications of treatment plans and protocols were rapidly implemented and accommodations using individualized educational plans were necessary, while advocating for the safety of healthcare personnel and balancing the rehabilitation needs of patients.
We acknowledge the many limitations and barriers encountered during this unprecedented challenge; these include but are not limited to shortage of resources, modifications of evaluation, time limitations during repeated doting and donning of adequate personal protective devices (PPEs), cost as well as shortage of the PPEs, influx of patients with stroke and COVID-19, bed-constrained and space-limitation in stroke and rehabilitation units, and absenteeism of caregivers at the time of consultation due to restricted visitors’ policies.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all frontliners and healthcare providers, in particular members of multidisciplinary stroke teams, for their commitment, service, and dedication to continuing to provide high standard care for stroke patients during this crisis.