Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1421339
at home. The first chatbot determined the need for COVID-19 testing for any member of the community. This was followed by a daily self-screening tool for employees to use prior to entry of an Upstate building. Both projects reduced the demand on telephone operators and screeners. The hospita l a lso created an inf lu- enza-like-illness (ILI) clinic equipped with necessar y resources to test and treat patients with upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms and isolate those who may be positive for COVID-19 from other potentially vulnerable patients. The ILI was an effective and efficient alternative to the busy emergency room. HOSPITAL WITHOUT WALLS: THE TELEHEALTH BOOM In many instances, the pandemic shifted the delivery of ambulatory care to a tele- medicine platform. Upstate recognizes the value in making telehealth a permanent way to deliver health care when it makes sense to do so for the patient. Through telehealth, Upstate is aiming to provide the same kind of care patients would receive in person using advanced computing a nd communications— a goal made more attainable following a recent $2 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission for tele- medicine upgrades. " We were thrilled to receive a grant of that magnitude and opportunity, and it 's going to go to very good use," says Nancy Daoust, EdD, LNH A , FACHE, Chief Ambulator y Off icer at Upstate University Hospital. She says the grant will facilitate a system-wide integration of its telemedicine infrastructure within the existing electronic medical record system, making appointments easier for patients and providers. The grant also will be used for hard- ware for video consultations and remote wearable monitoring systems to measure patients' vital signs and to collect other clinical data. The integrated telemedicine platform also will enhance the ability for Upstate physicians to treat critical patients through remote connections to other hospitals, such as what is already being done with its telestroke program. With remote visits on the rise, Daoust also hopes to see legislative support to ensure a ll people — r ura l a nd urba n populations — have unfettered internet access to take advantage of the benefits of telehealth care. Use of telemedicine has surged at the hospital and a new $2 million FCC grant will support additional infrastructure in the EMR system. Upstate was an active participant in clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children. The saliva-based COVID-19 PCR test developed at Upstate received FDA approval and is capable of processing 15,000 tests per day. Upstate also was involved in the development of a saliva-based COVID-19 antibody test to identify IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies. That test is under review by the New York State Department of Health. M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 0 21 0 7