Staying safe is essential. So is your health. We are also making things easier for all of our patients, including our D/HH patients and patients to the Microtia and Atresia clinic.
The Microtia and Atresia clinic and hearing center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are making things easier for our D/HH patients. From our same day surgery program to our physicians wearing visible window masks and using tablets to help communicate well with our patients, we want to take every moment to make communicating with our D/HH patients as easy as possible. We realize that masks can get in the way of communicating, making it difficult to understand, causing muffled voices or preventing our patients from being able to read lips. We also realize that wearing a mask can be a challenge in general for patients who wear hearing devices or are missing ears. As a result, many of our physicians are wearing window masks and clear face shields. If you are still struggling with communication, just ask us to use a tablet and help make things better! We are also offering helpful suggestions on where to find masks that work best for you when you have Microtia and Atresia and also wear hearing devices or helpful resources on where to find masks may that work better for you.
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s audiology department has even taken on an extra hobby of making their own masks in order to help patients to see and hear them better with window masks. Kelsey Hatton, an audiologist at VUMC, realized her patients were having a difficult time hearing well when everyone was wearing a mask. At the start of the pandemic, she took it upon herself along with the help from some of her co-workers, to make masks that could help their patients hear their best and be able to see facial expressions and read lips. Dr. Hatton wanted to share her masks with everyone in hopes of making wearing a mask easier for both the hearing and D/HH community. You can see her make your own mask instructions below.
Making appointments: Your healthcare provider and you can decide together which is more comfortable for your. For your own safety, our facility is offering appointment care via telehealth services so you can still receive the care you need from your doctors. Our patients are of course still welcome to schedule for an in-person appointment when needing further testing or special care, but our facility will help guide you on what the safest steps to take are when coming in for a visit.
Below are some helpful tips and explanations on what Vanderbilt University Medical Center is doing to help keep you and everyone safe:
As we continue to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in our region and search for treatments and vaccines, we are here to provide vital care that goes beyond an illness caused by a single virus. We’re in this with you, to help you get the care you need, safely.
How Are You Keeping Me Safe?
- Everyone must wear a mask. This includes patients, visitors, and our staff.
- We take everyone’s temperature and ask questions about symptoms and exposure before anyone comes into our buildings.
- We’ve limited how many people who can accompany a patient or visit in the hospital.
- Our teams frequently clean and sanitize exam rooms and public areas.
- Waiting area chairs are spaced apart.
- Elevator capacity is restricted.
- Telehealth visits may be an option if you and your doctor agree.
Do I have to be tested for COVID-19?
Having COVID-19 can affect your recovery. People may be sick and infect others without appearing sick.
For your safety, we test everyone before admitting them to the hospital. This includes birthing mothers. We also test patients before scheduled surgery or procedures using general anesthesia.
A swab test is the best way to tell if someone has the virus that causes COVID-19. It detects genetic material from the virus. The test cannot tell if someone is immune to the illness or can make others sick.
We collect samples in 1 of 3 ways:
- A swab inside both nostrils
- A swab through one nostril to the palate above the roof of the mouth
- A swab through the mouth to the back of the throat
Inquire about our curb side assistance testing option.
The doctor and patient together will choose which method is used.
Vanderbilt Health currently only provides COVID-19 testing for our patients with symptoms or those without symptoms who are required to be tested before a scheduled surgery or procedure at VUMC. You may contact the Microtia and Atresia clinic at: MicrotiaAtresiaClinic@VUMC.org or call ph: 615-343-6166 for more information.
Here are some images of our Microtia and Atresia clinic staff masking up to help keep you safe!
