TV Coverages

As COVID-19 cases rise, so has the demand for convalescent plasma. Jeff Yorio, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin Central, explains that increased hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has limited the supply of plasma for patients. He also discusses other drugs being used to help treat patients who are experiencing more severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Texas Oncology–Round Rock patient Katherine Peck described her experience receiving breast cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine noted additional safety precautions during her procedure and shared her confidence in the measures to protect the health of patients and staff.

Research is being conducted to determine if certain cancer drugs can be used to treat COVID-19. Jeff Yorio, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology–Austin Central, explains that while early data indicates that some drugs are showing promise in the fight against COVID-19, more studies are needed to determine their effectiveness in treating patients.

As COVID-19 cases rise across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott issued restrictions on elective surgeries in Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties in an effort to reserve hospital capacity. Sylvia Jaramillo, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin North Suite 300, discusses the impact of this announcement on cancer patients and their care teams.

Gury Doshi, M.D., of Texas Oncology–Houston Memorial City, discusses increasing concern that patients are hesitant to undergo cancer screenings during COVID-19. According to Dr. Doshi, patients could miss the advantages of early diagnosis by delaying, which could make cancer more difficult to treat. Texas Oncology is encouraging people to continue being screened, as it's enhanced safety precautions and expanded telemedicine services.

Convalescent plasma therapy is being used in Austin to treat COVID-19 patients. After he tested positive for the virus, local postal worker Raul Chagoya was admitted to a local hospital and treated by Jeff Yorio, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin Central. Dr. Yorio discusses Raul’s treatment and positive results seen in other patients.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an executive order loosening surgery restrictions previously set to limit nonemergency medical procedures during COVID-19. Sylvia Jaramillo, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Austin North, explains how postponing surgeries can impact local cancer patients and expresses her support of the relaxed restrictions to allow for certain procedures to resume.

Journal of Clinical Pathways sat down with Debra Patt, M.D., MPH, MBA, executive vice president of Texas Oncology, to discuss how commercial coverage policy updates impact the reimbursement for telemedicine services. According to Dr. Patt, it would be most helpful to patients for commercial payers to act quickly to have more comprehensive telehealth policies.

Journal of Clinical Pathways spoke with Lalan Wilfong, M.D., vice president of quality programs and value-based care, Texas Oncology, on whether the reopening of society will correlate with the reopening of surgical cancer care at Texas Oncology as well as the reliability of mass and rapid testing. Dr. Wilfong explains that clinicians must focus on what type of care is most important and vital, and if the delay of that care will impact the patient’s health and outcomes.

Journal of Clinical Pathways sat down with Michelle Ashworth, M.D., Texas Oncology-Round Rock, to discuss the measures the clinic has taken to provide an environment that is safe and supportive for patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ashworth explains the steps she and her staff have taken in order to provide uninterrupted, high-quality care to cancer patients during the crisis.