May 1st, 2020- Heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and injuries: These are just a few examples of medical emergencies that can occur at any time, in any place, and to anyone – even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is reminding residents that they still provide emergency medical care, 24/7, regardless of the current public health crisis. A recent report from the American College of Emergency Physicians states some emergency departments across the country are seeing a reduction inpatient volumes, as well as patients delaying seeking medical care for non-COVID-19 related emergencies – potentially due to patients being concerned about contracting COVID-19 during a hospital visit or overwhelming health care workers.
“We urge our community members to never forgo or delay seeking medical care for any type of emergency, even in the midst of a pandemic,” says Dr. Phil Barnell, emergency medicine physician at St. Mary’s Hospital. “We have a highly-skilled, compassionate care team ready to care for you as well as protocols in place to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases, including COVID-19.”
The following are some examples of symptoms/incidents in which a trip to the emergency department or call to 911 would be necessary:
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
- Severe abdominal pain
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
- Sudden changes in vision
- Sudden confusion
- Injury due to accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wounds or other serious injuries
- Choking
- Difficulty speaking
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Head or spine injury
