Tufts Medical Center
APRIL 2021
Obviously, no one ever wants to go to the emergency room. But during the pandemic, more and more people leery of the presence of COVID-19 in hospitals are avoiding the ER—even when they have clear, serious symptoms or injuries that require immediate medical attention. As a result, fear of exposure to one ailment is causing an increase in the occurrence and severity of countless others. But this caution, while not completely unfounded, is often unnecessary if patients follow a few simple steps and protocols. Don’t let concern over exposure to COVID-19 prevent you from seeking the immediate care you need.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 41 percent of adults in the U.S. had either delayed or avoided medical attention due to concerns about COVID-19, including 12 percent who dodged or put off urgent or emergency care. This trend was more prevalent among Black and Hispanic adults, young adults, people living with disabilities, and people with two or more underlying conditions. Locally, representatives of Tufts Medical Center report that ER visits were down by almost 50 percent at the height of the pandemic, and have only recovered to around 80 percent of pre-COVID-19 numbers. Health conditions that are normally treatable or preventable are going unchecked. This creates an even larger strain on the healthcare system—and worse, possibly an increase in disability and even death.
“Certain ailments don’t just disappear,” says Brien A. Barnewolt, MD, FACEP, and Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. “Appendicitis, heart attack, stroke—these things are going to exist whether
COVID-19 is here or not.”
Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from seeking emergency care
Even amid the pandemic, people need emergency care
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You never want to overreact to an injury or ailment, and particularly now, we don’t want to place an undue burden on our health care system. But Barnewolt points out that because patients have put off seeking care, when they finally do come into the ER, they are presenting with more symptoms, more severe symptoms, and further progression of dangerous illnesses and conditions. As a result, admission rates are higher. Hospitals are full—and it’s not just due to COVID-19.
So, when exactly is it time to go to the ER? Here are some symptoms and injuries that shouldn’t wait:
These are by no means exhaustive lists. If you experience any feelings, symptoms, or injuries that you suspect might require emergency care, call 911 or get to an ER as soon as possible.
And try not to worry—emergency rooms have taken extensive precautions to be able to safely administer quality care while limiting your risk of exposure to COVID-19. This starts with screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms at every entrance. Once inside, there are usually separate waiting areas or even outbuildings or tents for people who have or may have COVID-19. Likewise, there are designated places for ER patients who don’t have the coronavirus. There is also universal masking throughout the facilities among both patients and health care providers, and the latter are often required to wear additional personal protective equipment. In addition, a vast majority of frontline health care workers, including nearly the entire staff at Tufts Medical Center, have been fully vaccinated. Hospitals and clinics have also doubled their efforts to frequently clean and disinfect all public waiting areas, restrooms, examination rooms, and surfaces. And all facilities are typically set up to ensure social distancing throughout your visit.
There also steps you can take upon arrival to ensure your own safety and that of those around you. First, avoid taking public transportation to get to the ER. If possible, come alone—usually only the patient will be allowed inside the ER. If someone is driving you, make sure they are able to wait in the vehicle in the parking lot while you are inside. Bring a facemask to wear while in the ER. While inside, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and keep a safe distance (six feet) from other people. Also, clean your hands frequently using soap and water, if available, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Hospitals and emergency rooms have taken extraordinary measures to safeguard both patients with COVID-19 and those without. If patients follow a few simple safety measures, there’s no reason why they can’t receive timely emergency treatment. So don’t let the specter of the pandemic come between you and the care you need—your well-being and even your life may depend on it.
Of particular concern are early warning signs of stroke, a condition that demands immediate attention to prevent long-term damage.
“When the brain isn’t getting oxygen or when blood is leaking into the brain, every minute counts,” says Lester Y. Leung, MD, MSc, and Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Tufts Medical Center. “Brain cells are dying. The treatments we have are most effective in the first two hours.”
There are also some symptoms of COVID-19 that could require emergency attention. They include:
•Trouble breathing
•Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
•New confusion or inability to arouse
•Bluish lips or face
What would you do?
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