Do not delay urgent medical care due to the COVID-19

For people experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, respiratory distress, mental health or other acute illness or injury, a hospital emergency department is still the safest, most appropriate place to get care.

“We are seeing a concerning drop in the number of people coming in for serious non-COVID-related issues,” said Dr. Christopher Ziebell, medical director of the emergency department at Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas. “Staying home, ignoring the symptoms and suffering out of fear of COVID-19 is a risk people shouldn’t take with their health. Timely treatment is critically important for achieving the best outcomes and lessening the risk of complications. We are prepared and set up to safely treat patients who require emergency care. No patient should delay their care in an emergency.”

Ascension Seton continuously monitors guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and adjusts safety practices and safeguards accordingly. According to Dr. Ziebell:

• The types of symptoms that required emergency care in the past still require emergency care now

• If someone is ex periencing a life-threatening emergency, difficulty breathing, or warning signs of a heart attack or stroke, they should not delay, but go directly to the emergency room or dial 911

• Ascension Seton hospitals are equipped to safely protect patients from potential exposure to COVID-19 while taking care of their emergency needs

• Separate intake and care areas, waiting room distancing, staff screening, ongoing use of personal protective equipment, as well as extensive safety and sanitization protocols, are in place to ensure all patients are cared for in a protected environment