Keeping Our Patients Safe in the COVID-19 Environment

Don’t Put Your Heart Health on Hold 

Almost every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But, still, the number of heart patients seeking urgent care during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak had dropped by as much as 70%. 

“There are reversible heart conditions that will benefit from immediate attention,” says Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute; Chief, Cardiology; and Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center. “If you think you’re having a heart attack or other heart issue, don’t try and ride it out on your own because of COVID concerns. Getting immediate help can mean the real difference between heart trouble that is treated with minimal or no loss of function and heart trouble that may be life-threatening.”

It is important to get to the hospital right away if you experience heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, lightheadedness, slurred speech or numbness or weakness in one or both arms and legs. And, women are more likely than men to have symptoms that also include debilitating fatigue and nausea or vomiting.  

How We Are Keeping You “COVID-Safe” 

Guided by our nationally recognized infection prevention experts and the recommendations from public health organizations including the CDC, we continue to monitor and adapt our hospital-wide safety measures. All staff wears a mask when in direct patient care. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the hospital, and public areas are disinfected often with special attention given to frequently touched surfaces.

The Stony Brook VAD Program: Just One Example of Exceeding the Standard  

In addition to meeting and exceeding all COVID-19 safety recommendations, the entire Stony Brook Heart Institute community and each of our departments and programs have been working hand-in-hand to put into place patient guidelines that take into consideration the unique care requirements of our most vulnerable hospital populations. Our Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program is just one example of a Stony Brook heart program going “above and beyond” for our patients.  A VAD can be used as an intermediary step before heart transplantation—a “bridge” to transplantation—or, in patients who, due to advanced age or medical condition are not transplant candidates, as a long-term “destination” device. 

Here, One of Our VAD Patients  

Meet Patricia Pautch 

With a twenty-three year history of congestive heart failure, Patricia (Pat) Pautch, 73, a retired pre-K teacher, mother and grandmother, learned in the summer of 2018 that her already damaged heart had weakened to the point that, although, “medicine, exercise and a faith in God,” had served her well for decades, her heart would now need a bit of a boost in the form of surgical intervention. And in August 2019 Stony Brook doctors implanted Pat with a ventricular assist device (VAD) — a battery-powered artificial heart pump.  

“The surgery went well,” says the smart and funny Setauket resident. “I was soon feeling so much better and would head over to the hospital every week, as much for a dressing change as for the great company of the VAD team,” smiles Pat. “Until late March 2020. Needless to say, like so much else, the coronavirus changed everything.” 

As a high-risk individual with a pre-existing condition, Pat’s doctors felt at that time she should not enter a hospital environment, and, so, the hospital chose, instead, to go to Pat.  

“Every Tuesday for almost three months, Jill, one of the VAD coordinators, would come to my home and change my dressing,” shares Pat. “In addition to which she would usually bring a laugh and some warm words.” 

“I also got an e-visit every month from Dr. Skopicki just to see how I was doing.” 

Since the end of June, as the number of COVID cases at the hospital has eased up, Pat has again returned to visiting Stony Brook Heart Institute weekly for her dressing changes. 

“One of the VAD coordinators meets you at the door and every member of the VAD team — the doctors, nurses, coordinators, everyone — walks you through it all,” says Pat. “And they relieve you of any anxiety. I just feel very safe and in good hands with everyone at the hospital. If you are afraid to come in for care, don’t be. They are there for you every step of the way.”