News From SIH

A $2.8 million grant resulting from a partnership between the Jackson County Health Department, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale will bring expanded COVID-19 testing to the county and SIU campus.

A single plasma donation from a recovered COVID-19 patient could help up to four patients fight the virus. SIH is now part of a Mayo Clinic study investigating convalescent plasma as a treatment option. The large-scale analysis features collaboration among more than 2,200 hospitals and healthcare entities across the country.

Infectious disease experts say, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, you should leave your gloves at home the next time you run an errand. "We do not recommend the public wears gloves when they're outside--especially in the supermarket or anywhere else," said Doctor Sarah Altamimi with SIH. "Wearing gloves just adds a false security sense that you are not really benefiting from at all."

SIH is requires everyone - employees, patients and visitors - to wear masks while in one of its hospitals or clinics. The new policy comes as Governor Pritzker announces a modified stay at home order that will require people wear a face mask or covering when in public indoor spaces. Francis Murphy, General Manager of the Neighborhood Co-Op Grocery store in Carbondale, says he's seen in increase in customers wearing masks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended universal mask wearing to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. Dr. Matthew Winkleman, a primary care physician with SIH, said mask wearing is especially critical in situations where social distancing is more difficult.

Southern Illinois Healthcare announced last week that SIH Medical Group is now conducting video visits for outpatient visits. Dr. Matt Winkleman, of SIH Primary Care in Harrisburg, explained that government restrictions on telemedicine were recently loosened, which opened different types of platforms for medical visits.

Most of us are worried about coronavirus symptoms, but doctors don't want you to forget about your heart health. Dr. Gangadhar Malasana with SIH Prairie Heart Institute said nationally, there's been a 50% drop in people seeking help for heart attacks.

Hospitals across Southern Illinois have noticed a strange side-effect to the COVID-19 pandemic — fewer patients are showing up in emergency rooms with heart attack and stroke symptoms. “We are extremely worried about this,” said Dr. Alejandro Hornik, a neurologist and neuroscience medical director with Southern Illinois Healthcare Brain and Spine Institute.

Woody Thorne, Vice President of Community Affairs for Southern Illinois Healthcare joined Will Stephens on WXAN to talk about the SIH Community Foundation, Southern Illinois Healthcare's response to COVID-19, and what he has learned about Southern Illinois during this pandemic.

Social distancing and concerns over COVID-19 are prompting many hospitals to cancel elective procedures, but many patients still need to see their doctors. Doctor Matt Winkleman has been on the front lines for SIH in the fight against the coronavirus. He says in the last week they've made major strides in taking their effort to serve more patients online. Telehealth has become a necessary alternative for patients and local health care providers.