Publication Date
3-30-2020
Abstract
Despite the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, the East Tennessee State University community remains united and committed to our mission to improve the lives of the people of our region. Our students, faculty and staff are discovering new ways to connect with one another virtually and to help our neighbors across the region.
Our ETSU family continues a legacy of resilience. In light of the many disruptions to daily life, students and faculty have embraced online course delivery and the University remains dedicated to the academic achievements of our students and ensuring they remain on track to graduation. The decision to extend online course delivery through the end of the spring semester was based on the values of the university, the safety of our students, faculty and staff and our responsibility to flatten the curve and the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Below, you will learn about the many ways the members of our ETSU family are using their talents to help those in need and fight the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have stories and examples to share, please reach out to virusresponse@etsu.edu.
ETSU designs and assembles face masks for health care workers
JOHNSON CITY (March 25, 2020) – Health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak need personal protective equipment to reduce exposure and limit spread of the disease. East Tennessee State University and community partners are addressing the shortage of medical equipment by developing and manufacturing face shields.
Last week, Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission requested assistance in meeting the increased demand for face shields. The 3D-printed headband for the shield can take a long time to produce, so Dr. Keith Johnson and Bill Hemphill from the Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology and Surveying immediately went to work developing a prototype that does not require a 3D printer. Their goal was to develop a product that can be assembled using supplies available at hardware stores and is also comfortable to wear.
The face shield design uses materials donated by Eastman. Pieces of the shields are cut from a template using a laser engraver. All the face shield parts are collected and put into kits that will be assembled by Facilities Management staff at ETSU. Andrew Worley, emergency management specialist, is assisting with shield assembly and ensure staff adhere to all COVID-19 work precautions, including social distancing.
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ETSU Health offering coronavirus testing, telemedicine appointments
Coronavirus testing available for community ETSU Health offering telemedicine appointments
In an effort to increase testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region, ETSU Health has established a community testing site open to pre-screened and pre-registered patients.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the ETSU Health testing site, located at 325 North State of Franklin, will be set up and open to members of the community. Screenings will be available to those who are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus and have been screened by ETSU Health staff. Pre-registration is required for testing via the ETSU Health coronavirus hotline at (423-433-6110). The site will be open in the clinic parking lot Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is unavailable at the site, and the number of tests will be limited in the opening period.
ETSU Health is bringing medical care closer to home for its patients by offering telemedicine appointments. Telemedicine is the use of electronic audio and video communication to provide remote health care services to patients.
“ETSU Health has partnered with VisuWell, a telehealth company, to provide patients access to our health care team using a web-based portal,” said Dr. Timothy Canavan, a professor at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine and chair of the Department of OB/GYN.
While plans for the telemedicine service at ETSU Health were in place before the COVID-19 outbreak, the timing of its implementation is good for patients because it provides them the opportunity to receive medical care from their ETSU Health providers in the comfort of their own homes.
Document Type
News Article
