Don’t delay necessary healthcare
May 04, 2020
While the medical center and clinics are not easing current practices related to safety and security implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians and leaders at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center and Medical Group want to remind the public not to delay seeking important healthcare. One outcome of the COVID-19 crisis is the shift in public perception about what constitutes necessary care. When combined with fear of contracting the virus, many people have chosen to delay or postpone routine, follow-up, and emergency care with potentially harmful effects. While stay-at-home orders are a large contributing factor, there is a growing concern among the healthcare community that patients, even those with severe illnesses, are avoiding hospitals out of fear. Delays seeking care can have a detrimental impact on patient health including more severe clinical findings; poorer outcomes; and increased expenses related to postponing care. PeaceHealth Medical Group physician Peter Rice, MD, encourages the public to remain focused on their own health and wellness during the crisis. He urges people not to hesitate to seek the routine or critical/emergency care they may need either for themselves or their loved ones. “I am concerned about patients who are reluctant to seek medical care because they are unaware that we are open during this crisis and are safely caring for our patients,” stated Rice, “Our physician group continues to provide ongoing care, manage and treat chronic and acute illness, give important childhood and adult vaccinations, and prescribe medications for our patients unrelated to the COVID-19 virus.” Visits may look different, given social distancing requirements, and video visits provide options to traditional face-to-face visits which are still required for some patients. Safety remains a top priority at the Medical Center for patients and caregiver employees and they continue to take the necessary precautions based on the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that any COVID-19 patients are not only cared for, but in safe and strict isolation away from general hospital areas. The PeaceHealth Medical Group staggers appointments, screens temperatures, and masks all caregivers and patients. Additional cleaning measures are undertaken as well. Over the coming weeks, more services – such as rehabilitation therapies which reopens May 4 – will be included. Unfortunately, delaying necessary care could cause long-term damage to a patient’s health. Dr. Rice reminds the public to “stay safe, and if you think you need care – don’t delay! We are here for you.” If you need care:
Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews
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