De Los Santos Medical Center conducts safe procedures for children amid COVID-19 pandemic

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MOST patients would opt not to visit the hospital for some time for a checkup, and even choose to postpone their tests and procedures. This is not the case for five children with a congenital heart disease called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). They recently underwent successful patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure at De Los Santos Medical Center’s CathLab under pediatric interventional cardiologist Dr. Dexter Eugene Cheng, supported by strict safety protocols set by the hospital.

The children, aged between 11 months to 6 years old, were benefactors of a sponsorship of the Rotary Club Makati West, whose advocacy is to provide financial assistance to families of children with congenital heart disease.

When a child has PDA, the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel found in the developing fetus which connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, fails to close shortly after birth. This results in a child growing up feeling tired all the time, having difficulty eating or gaining weight, and having difficulty breathing. Treatment of such condition involves a procedure where a closure device is inserted via catheter to the PDA. Recovery is pretty fast, with the child getting discharged the following day.

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Dr. Cheng expressed his confidence in performing the procedures at the DLSMC CathLab. “There are safety measures in place to keep the hospital safe for everyone — non-COVID patients, COVID patients, staff and guests alike. A system is being followed to prevent and contain infection. There is also strict adherence to protocol among staff.”

“The safety of our patients and health workers remain our top priority,” says DLSMC VP for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nilo C. de los Santos. “We have established strict safety measures to ensure prevention of infection throughout the hospital,” he adds.  Aside from provision of PPEs, other measures carried out by DLSMC include regular disinfecting and sanitizing, mandatory masks, social distancing cues, designated COVID-19 areas, separate elevator access, and temperature checks. All patients and visitors are also subject to triage before entering the premises.

Dr. Cheng further stresses, “There are more people who risk their health because although they need to go to the hospital, they do not go because they are afraid of COVID-19. Going to the hospital for needed checkup and procedures is safe. We all just need to be careful and cautious, and observe the protocols such as wearing of masks and physical distancing to protect ourselves and others. I am glad that DLSMC is doing everything possible to ensure everyone’s safety during this time of uncertainty.”

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