Amarillo Gazette

Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital recently issued the following announcement.

Over the past several months, COVID-19 has continued to disrupt life as we know it, causing an overwhelming number of delays and cancellations. But, as we begin to move forward and understand the new sense of normalcy before us, one thing’s for certain: your health care needs are too significant to be placed on hold.  

Your Health is Our Priority  

With hospitals and medical providers resuming care for non-emergent and elective surgeries, you can now get back to your personalized health care plans and provider-recommended procedures.  

Here are five reasons why you should not delay necessary care or treatment.     

1.     You’re experiencing signs of an emergency. 

If you have a medical concern that’s urgent and emergent, don’t postpone your treatment. Hospitals everywhere are taking special precautions to make sure patients stay safe, which means your health is our priority. A few signs that you might need to seek emergency care include: 

·      Shortness of breath 

·      Strong, persistent abdominal pain 

·      Sudden vision and balance problems, numbness or weakness 

·      Allergic reactions  

·      Chest pain 

·      Loss of consciousness 

·      Uncontrolled bleeding  

·      Broken bones and deep wounds 

·      Sudden and unbearable headaches 

·      Severe burns 

·      Poisoning or drug overdose 

·      Emotional or mental health emergency 

While this is not an all-inclusive list, if you feel your situation requires attention, consult your medical provider or call 9-1-1 for any other severe or concerning signs. Remember, time is of the essence when it comes to an emergent situation.  

2.     Your mental and physical well-being will improve with medical care.  

Doctors warn that further delays in treatment may not only lead to an unnecessary amount of mental angst and worry but could also progress your symptoms or disease into an advanced stage. Therefore, whether or not you had a scheduled surgery or procedure that was cancelled due to the pandemic or you’ve been considering treatment, now’s the time to get care. And while we understand there may be hesitation to reschedule your postponed procedure, you can rest assured that we’re prepared and committed to providing you with high quality and compassionate care.  

3.     You’re due for preventive care.  

Regular preventive health screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and check-ups, are vital for the early detection of possible issues. The earlier your doctor discovers signs of a problem, there is a better chance treatment options will lead to successful outcomes.   

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several factors that additionally impact how often you should see your medical provider include age, lifestyle choices and health and family history. If you are an individual with several health concerns or at high-risk of developing a health-related issue, preventive care is essential.  

4.     You feel safe with your hospital’s safety measures.  

For every place you go, it’s important you feel safe – especially when it comes to your health. This is why we’ve implemented several safety protocols and actions, including:  

·       Separate care areas within the hospital for treatment of COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients 

·       A safe triage and screening process in our Emergency Department 

·       Ongoing temperature monitoring for patients, visitors and employees 

·       Routine testing of all admitted patients for COVID-19 

·       Regular handwashing with soap and water (or use of alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water aren’t readily available) 

·       Rigorous cleaning and sanitizing, including the ongoing testing of air, water and surfaces 

·       Distribution of masks to patients, visitors and employees with the requirement for them to be worn in all areas 

·       Provision of appropriate personal protective equipment for employees 

·       Practice of physical distancing, including limiting elevator use to 2 to 4 people and blocking seats that are close together in waiting areas 

·       Restriction of visitors consistent with directives from our state 

5.     You have a plan.  

These days, a visit to your doctor or hospital may certainly look a little different, especially with the rise of virtual care options. However, no matter how you’re connecting with your medical provider, it’s important to always have a plan in place. Here are a few things to consider before your next appointment.  

Before Your Visit  

·       Connect with your provider’s office to learn where to park and enter before your arrival.  

·       When possible, try to schedule all visits, such as those involving labs or X-rays, on the same day as your appointment.  

·       If staying in the hospital, ask your provider about the current visitor policy and discuss communication options for family members, including phone calls and video chats. 

·       If scheduled for surgery, you’ll receive a COVID-19 test before your procedure can begin in a non-COVID area of the facility. If you test positive, discuss next steps with your physician.  

Upon Your Arrival 

·       Wear a cloth face covering or mask for your visit. If you don’t have a covering or mask, one will be provided to you.  

·       Your temperature will be taken upon arrival. If you have a fever (100 degrees or higher), you’ll be moved to an isolated area.  

Original source can be found here.

Source: Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital