As we are all aware by now, although COVID-19 infections come with mild symptoms for most, a minority of infected individuals may manifest with severe respiratory and cardiac complications. Taking the proper steps after infection can often spell the difference between life and death. While the medical establishment had very little information at the onset of the pandemic in March, by now more information is available. Several leading hospitals and medical institutions have led studies that included hundreds of thousands of patients from across the U.S. and around the world, and have learned a great deal about the virus. Some medicines and treatments have been proven effective in reversing or mitigating common symptoms, while others have been proven to be largely ineffective or even detrimental.
Somech is a not-for-profit bikur cholim organization which was established to:
- Connect those who suffer from COVID-19 infections with the best available medical advice and the latest up-to-date treatments available for their situation;
- Disseminate vital information to the general public, thereby empowering individuals to make informed decisions for sick family members; and
- Facilitate medical transports for patients whose medical condition requires better-equipped facilities, through both patient advocacy and financial assistance.
The Covid-19 medical landscape is uniquely challenging for the average patient to navigate. A uniform standard of care has yet to be developed, and at the current time, there is a wide disparity in treatment methodology between the various medical facilities. The differences between the different treatment centers are pronounced, both in regard to the variety of the medical interventions available and the expertise and knowledge of the physicians. Protocols regarding the treatment of quarantined patients vary by institution as well. In addition, a quarantined patient, especially if he is ill, is often incapable of advocating for all his needs, and without the usual advocacy of family and friends, even basic necessities can sometimes be overlooked.
Most significantly, in the event that a transfer to a different medical facility is required, Covid-19 presents tremendous obstacles to facilitating such transfers. Due to numerous legal, medical, and insurance regulations, transport of Covid-19 patients is fraught with hurdles far too difficult for the average patient to overcome. What this means, essentially, is that the facility to which a patient is initially admitted, is in all likelihood the facility where he will be treated for the duration of his illness.
Due to the above factors, medical referral professionals are strongly recommending that Covid patients research and choose the best appropriate facility before admitting themselves to a hospital. Initially, Covid symptoms are often mild, and many patients opt to enter their local convenient hospital under the mistaken assumption that such medical facilities are adequately equipped to manage their initial symptoms, and if, rachmana litzlan, the situation escalates, they will have the option to switch to better quality care. Once admitted, however, it becomes apparent that transferring to a hospital which provides better quality care is virtually impossible and in many instances this situation has unfortunately ended in tragic results. As such, it is crucial to use foresight in choosing the correct hospital even when the symptoms initially don’t seem to warrant it. Just as an individual faced with a serious illness will be sure to consult with professional medical referral services in order to identify the best physician and facility available for their treatment, so too in Covid one must from the very outset actively seek the best options for all potential complications.
This is where Somech steps in. Researching different treatment options and hospitals is a time-consuming and exhausting task, and families dealing with a Covid emergency don’t usually have the time and resources to conduct a thorough investigation. To help these families, Somech has compiled a network of referral centers and knowledgeable medical professionals to evaluate the different treatment options available at all stages of Covid infection. Somech has also formed a database of different treatment centers, and their relative strengths and capabilities, in order to advise patients on which hospital is best equipped to deal with their individual needs. With locations in Passaic, Chicago, Boro Park, Lakewood, Monroe, Monsey, and further afield, Somech is knowledgeable regarding each community’s local hospitals and options. In order to ensure the most effective treatment for Covid patients both at home and in the hospital, Somech’s database also includes a compilation of different medical treatments that have proven to be effective in a hospital setting, as well as at-home treatments that may be successful in preventing hospitalizations.
Additionally, Somech has engaged a professional medical transport team, capable of providing both ground and air transport, and has successfully navigated the complex transfer process, and enabled those in medical need to access a better quality of care.
Are you confused about the proper course of action regarding treatment and hospitalization of Covid-19 patients? Do you require specific help locating or transferring to the correct facility? Are you overwhelmed by all the treatment options and information? If so, Somech is here for you. Please contact us at (212) 419-8189.