WASHINGTON, June 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The American
Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) today
applauds the new interim guidance that was release Tuesday by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The guidance
provides a framework for healthcare providers in their initial
assessment, evaluation, management and follow-up of persons with
possible post-COVID conditions.
"Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection
(PASC) is affecting millions of Americans. This new guidance for
frontline providers will greatly improve the speed and quality of
healthcare's response to people suffering from Long COVID. It will
help them regain quality of life and become active members of our
community once again," said AAPM&R Vice President Steven R. Flanagan, MD, FAAPMR. Dr. Flanagan is
the chair and a professor at Rusk Rehabilitation at New York University Langone Health.
He said that, "AAPM&R thanks the CDC for participating in
our Multidisciplinary PASC Collaborative and for inviting us to
play a significant role in developing this new guidance. This is a
great first step to recognizing and meeting the needs of patients
with Long COVID. But our work is far from over."
To comprehensively support the execution of this new guidance
and ensure success, Flanagan said, "the U.S. must build an
infrastructure to provide clinicians with the resources
required to treat patients with Long COVID and ensure equitable
access to care. Patients with Long COVID need to be able to see
local providers who are equipped and qualified to care for them as
soon as possible."
"If we do not build the infrastructure and ensure timely,
equitable access to care, our society will continue to function at
a deficit. We must restore America to its fullest potential and
help millions suffering from Long COVID regain quality of life.
PM&R physicians are vital in optimizing outcomes and function
early and throughout the continuum of patient care," he
recommended.
AAPM&R continues to call for a comprehensive national
response to Long COVID to support the needs of millions of patients
and meet this crisis head-on.
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is
the national medical specialty organization representing more than
10,000 physicians who are specialists in Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation. PM&R physicians, also known as physiatrists,
treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain,
spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and
tendons. PM&R physicians evaluate and treat injuries,
illnesses, and disability, and are experts in designing
comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans. Physiatrists
utilize cutting–edge as well as time–tested treatments to maximize
function and quality of life.
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SOURCE American Academy of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation