North Egypt News

SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mt. Vernon issued the following announcement on Mar. 30. 

The COVID-19 pandemic may have caused patients to delay or put off their appointments and visits to the hospital. But as restrictions start to be lifted and as vaccinations provide hope to our communities, you may be curious about resuming regular health care.

 

SSM Health System Director of Infectious Disease Dr. Shephali Wulff answers questions that you may have about visiting our SSM Health ministries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hospital ERs open to patients with illnesses other than COVID-19?

Yes. Hospitals have been open to patients needing care since the pandemic began. In order to preserve PPE and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus early on in the pandemic, hospitals paused elective surgeries -- but we were still taking care of patients needing treatment to their medical conditions. At this point, we have more standard medical patients than COVID patients.

 

Are hospitals able to care for other patients other than those diagnosed with COVID-19?

Yes, absolutely. We have low numbers within the regions in which SSM Health operates and fewer people are being diagnosed with COVID. We certainly have adequate space for patients and sufficient staffing.

I am still concerned with catching COVID-19. Are there online services that I can utilize instead of in-person visits?

Something we discovered early in the pandemic was that both patients and providers enjoyed the telehealth services. A lot of our primary care providers are offering virtual care visits for our patients who are reluctant to come in for a visit, or have trouble getting transportation to their appointment. 

However, it really depends on the nature of your visit. If a well-established patient needs hypertension medication, it can be certainly done virtually. But if you are in need of a physical exam or need to get a rash checked out, or are experiencing abdominal pain, you would certainly benefit by coming in to get care and having a provider examine you in person.

I have put off many of my preventive screenings because I didn’t think my doctor/hospital had the capacity or was wary of COVID-19.  Should I continue putting these off?  If no, how can you ensure my safety?

Do not put off any preventative screenings. We are seeing more people with complications because they put off screenings out of fear. A lot of people are sicker because they delayed care. We want to avoid that. The mitigation measures our hospitals put into place at the start of the pandemic still exist. The risk of getting COVID in a health care setting is very low, but the risk of waiting of a year or two to get a mammogram and finding a later-stage tumor is a more serious risk than getting the virus.

Should I wait until I am vaccinated to start accessing health care services again?

It really depends on the risk and benefit factors. If you are a 45-year-old woman who needs an annual mammogram, you shouldn’t put that off until after getting vaccinated since it’s a vital preventative screening. However, if you are 90 years old, not vaccinated, on supplemental oxygen needing to get your blood sugar managed – that might be best served over a virtual screening.

I have a health issue that needs immediate attention but not sure where I should go to get care?

If you are feeling unstable, you should go to the Emergency Room. If you need a preventative screening, we have ways to set you up so that you can get the care you need. When you need treatment for minor injuries and illness, but your doctor is not available, SSM Health urgent care services have you covered. Our urgent care locations combine easy-to-access services with our well-known standards for delivering the best care. 

What safety protocols do you have in place to reduce my risk of catching COVID-19?

Everyone is screened before entering our facilities. There are visitor policies in effect to limit unnecessary traffic in our hallways. Everyone is wearing a mask and there are still social distancing guidelines very much in effect in the rooms, including plexiglass barriers at stations to ensure appropriate distancing. We can do a good job of keeping people safe from COVID. 

There are also things patients can do to reduce the risk.

• Wear a mask that is well-fitted with at least two layers (not a gaiter or a bandana or a mask made out of a t-shirt).  
• Stay away from people who are not with you and practice social distancing.
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.

Are there still a lot of COVID-19 patients in the hospital?

No, there are truly not a lot of COVID patients. We are seeing the fewest amount of COVID-positive patients since the pandemic began. However, we are seeing complications from people putting off care out of fear.

Original source can be found here.