Autoimmune disorders

People with Autoimmune disorders have been avoiding treatment during the pandemic.

Now IVX Health has an alternative for them.

As covid-19 continues to rise not only nationwide but also in our area, patients with autoimmune disorders are becoming more reluctant to go to hospitals for their regular treatments.

News 12's joeli poole tells us about an alternative option.

That's our top local story.

Normally, those with autoimmune disorders would go to their local hospital for a regularly scheduled treatment - but with the rise in covid-19 cases, some patients report skipping treatments in order to stay safe.

An alternative health care option is now available for immunocompromised patients in our area.

I-v-x health is offering a safe place for those patients to get their regularly scheduled treatments in the comfort of a private, individual room, without the exposure to a room full of people.

Doug ghertner "an overwhelming majority of our patients are immunocompromi sed so the hospital is actually the last place that they need to be.

Because they run the risk of getting some type of infection.

If you were to look at cdc numbers they would tell you about 3 percent of people that go to the hospital have now acquired some type of hospital acquired infection."

Company executives say their treatments are covered by all insurances and normally cost about either or s of the price of the other major health care systems. the ceo of the company says this is also a way to ease some of the burden that the pandemic has placed on local hospitals.

"as we get into this spike of covid, you are seeing hospitals go okay i have a finite amount of labor, a finite amount of ppe so how do i use that for patients that are in greater need for acute care.

Consequently we have been able to offload some of that patient volume that they don't necessarily need to be in the hospital but they need to receive a high amount of clinical care."

Joeli "if you or a loved one is interested in switching their treatments to an ivx location, you should talk to your doctor and look for more information on our website wdef dot com.

In chattanooga, joeli poole, news 12