Page 12 - SFHN JUNE 2020 FLIP BOOK

South Florida's Overcoming Challenges of Individuals with Autism
Monthly
Healthcare Newspaper Spectrum Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PO Box 812708 The COVID-19 pan- the CDC, because they tend understand how to best manage these
Boca Raton, FL 33481-2708 demic is stressful to have immune disorders patients. Often, that means thinking out of
Phone: (561) 368-6950 enough, but for children and other comorbidities. the box.

and adults with autism The process of isolating can “Another issue with people on the spec-
Website: spectrum disorder be especially hard on chil- trum is that some don’t have a concept of
www.southfloridahospitalnews.com (ASD) and their fami- dren with autism and their having to wait for their turn, so they’re
lies, the crisis can be families. The pandemic dis- impatient when they have to wait. As well

especially difficult. rupts routine, which is prob- they may have sensory issues that don’t
CHARLES FELIX Adrien A. Eshraghi, lematic for these patients and allow them to tolerate wearing a mask,”
CAROL FELIX M.D., M.Sc., professor of caregivers. Patients might Dr. Eshraghi said.
Publishers Otolaryn gology, Neuro - have difficulty comprehend- Potential solutions include bringing the
logical Surgery and ing the situation and child and caregiver to wait in an exam
NANCY LAMMIE Biomedical Engin eering expressing themselves, room, rather than keeping them in the
Editor
and Miller School coau- Dr. Adrien A. Eshraghi hyperactivity, and behavioral waiting room. If the patient keeps taking
JUDY GRAMM thors published a new issues. off his or her mask, provide parents with
Editorial Manager & Webmaster correspondence titled COVID-19: over- Because of all these multiple challenges additional masks to keep the child, par-
coming the challenges faced by individu- which may be experienced at the same ents, and providers safe.
JMC GRAPHICS als with autism and their families in The time in some instances, people with "Those with autism spectrum disorder
Art/Production Lancet Psychiatry which address specific autism and their caregivers are likely expe- are not just another vulnerable population
lammienancy@aol.com challenges patients with autism and their riencing heightened stress during this in the context of COVID-19. While they
412-877-5321 families might encounter during the pan- time. may share similar needs with other vulner-
demic, as well as what healthcare If patients need medical care during the able groups, some are in fact quite unique.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS providers should know and do to ensure pandemic, the situation for patients and We hope our commentary begins to pro-
Daniel Casciato optimal and safe care. their families often becomes even more vide a framework for strategic enhance-
Barbara Fallon Chances are good that providers caring overwhelming, according to Dr. Eshraghi. ment and investment in healthcare, thera-
Vanessa Orr for COVID-19 patients in all settings, “The healthcare environment, especially py, education, and family support during
Lois Thomson including the emergency room (ER) and in the emergency room, can be difficult future crises" said co-author Michael
inpatient settings, will encounter adults and overstimulating for people with Alessandri, Ph.D., executive director of
and children with autism. autism spectrum disorder possibly due of the University of Miami-Nova South -

“In 2004, the prevalence of autism was the crowd, sounds and lights,” Dr. eastern University Center for Autism and
LOOK FOR OUR 1 in 166. Today the Centers for Disease Eshraghi said. Related Disabilities (CARD).
NEXT ISSUE Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 54 chil- “It’s important to reduce that stress. For Other coauthors of the paper are: Daniel
dren are on the autism spectrum”, accord- example, caregivers are not allowed into S. Messinger, Ph.D., professor and coordi-
IN JULY ing to Dr. Eshraghi, who also is the direc- many ER exam and hospital rooms during nator of the Developmental Psychology
tor of the University of Miami Hearing the pandemic. But in the case of autism, Program; Rahul Mittal, Ph.D., researcher;
TO REACH US Research and Communication Dis orders patients need their caregivers to help keep Crystal Li, medical student at Miller
Laboratory and co-director of the them be calm and facilitate communica- School of Medicine; Rebecca S. Eshraghi,
FOR University of Miami Ear Institute. tion with providers.” Ph.D., researcher; and F. Daniel
ADVERTISING People with autism are at higher risk for Dr. Eshraghi recommends that ERs train Armstrong, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics
OR EDITORIAL COVID-19 complications, according to staff to recognize the signs of autism and and senior associate dean for child health.
Call (561) 368-6950
or e-mail Cleveland Clinic Florida Announces Two New
carol@southfloridahospitalnews.com

Clinical Trials to Help COVID-19 Positive Patients,

SUBSCRIPTIONS Continues to Lead in COVID-19 Research

One Year $40
Cleveland Clinic Florida has announced liver disease, end-stage renal disease, or Barsoum, M.D., CEO and President of
Two Years $60
two new clinical trials to help patients history of kidney stones. Cleveland Cleveland Clinic Florida. “We are hope-
Three Years $75 who test positive for COVID-19. The Clinic Florida’s goal is to enroll 520 par- ful that these prospective treatments will
clinical trials are in addition to the con- ticipants in the study. help our team of experts better under-
valescent plasma trials, which began in Canakinumab stand this disease and will ultimately
To subscribe,
late April. This is an in-patient study specifically provide the best care for patients moving
call (561) 368-6950 The additional trials being conducted for admitted COVID-19 patients who forward.”
or subscribe online at in Florida are: have had a heart attack. COVID-19 has For nearly a month, Cleveland Clinic
A to Z Study: Vitamin C & Zinc been known to cause heart attack, vascu- Florida has been conducting clinical tri-
southfloridahospitalnews.com.
____________ This study is a randomized outpatient lar inflammation and stroke in some als for convalescent plasma therapy,
clinical trial testing the use of Vitamin C patients. The study will determine which collects antibody-rich plasma

and Zinc to determine whether they whether early treatment with Cana - from donors who have recovered from
All rights reserved. Reproduction shorten the duration and type of symp- kinumab, an antibody therapy, will COVID-19 to use for patients currently
in whole or part without written
permission prohibited. Copyright © 2020. toms, and prevent hospitalizations in reduce the deterioration of cardiac func- struggling with the virus.
patients with a new diagnosis of COVID- tion and prevent further damage, includ- Cleveland Clinic Florida is working
19. Participants will be given Vitamin C ing progression to heart failure. The closely with its Ohio counterpart to lead
and Zinc treatment within 48 hours of a study also seeks to determine whether the way in innovative research for
positive test and will be monitored for a the drug prevents the onset of respiratory COVID-19 patients. In April, Cleveland
Don’t forget to include two-week period. failure, need for ventilation and cardiac Clinic announced its Center for Global
South Florida Hospital News Cleveland Clinic Florida will screen shock. and Emerging Pathogens Research, and
& Healthcare Report patients to determine if they meet criteria “Cleveland Clinic Florida remains the soon-to-open Cleveland Clinic
and are willing to enter the trial. committed to the investigation of evi- Florida Research and Innovations Center
in your Marketing Plans Participants must be 18 or older. denced-based therapies to find innova- (FRIC) in Port St. Lucie, Florida, will be
Exclusion criteria includes: pregnant and tive solutions that help patients diag- an essential part of research and treatment
Call Charles at 561-368-6950 for a Media Kit
or breastfeeding women, patients with nosed with COVID-19,” said Wael for COVID-19.

12 June 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News