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 Though patient volumes in many of the nation’s emergency departments
(EDs) have begun to return to traditional levels as communities
reopen, capacity in our EDs has not gotten back to full visits
levels. Health care professionals remain concerned that people who
need treatment are still afraid to come to the ED. According to a
poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and
Morning Consult, 80 percent of Americans say they are concerned
about contracting the virus from visiting a medical facility, and
nearly one-third reported delaying seeking medical care as a result.
Emergency care teams see firsthand the complications that arise when
patients, especially those with chronic conditions, avoid getting
the care they need. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) shows that in the 10 weeks following the onset
of the pandemic emergency visits for heart attack patients was down
23 percent and down 20 percent for those suffering from a stroke. As
they do every day in the emergency department, physicians and nurses
have teamed up to remind their communities that ED are open and
ready to safely treat all patients.
“Emergency physicians are highly trained to handle pandemics and
prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” said William Jaquis, MD,
FACEP, president of ACEP. “Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you’re
experiencing symptoms of a medical emergency. The emergency
department is the safest place to be.”
Added Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) President Mike Hastings,
MSN, RN, CEN, “Emergency nurses are among the first to meet and
triage patients in the ED, and we understand the importance of
safely and accurately assessing those seeking COVID and non-COVID
treatment. Our commitment to care drives us to provide you with the
best environment possible treat your emergency needs.”
Emergency departments across the country are continually adapting
their procedures, based on CDC and other guidelines, as more is
learned about the virus and how to treat it. Anyone who comes to the
emergency department will be screened on arrival for COVID-19
symptoms. Some hospitals have created external waiting rooms for
patients with known symptoms, and others have separate wings for
those who are presumed to have the disease.
Emergency care teams are also utilizing telehealth technology to
conduct remote consultations with patients and to connect them with
loved ones while they're admitted. Emergency departments have also
greatly intensified their cleaning and disinfecting efforts, and
some are using enhanced treatments—such as negative pressure rooms
and UV-filtration—to decontaminate the air and prevent the spread of
the virus.
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If you need to come to the emergency department, be prepared to
cover your face to protect yourself and those around. Even those
that don’t suspect they have the virus should wear a mask or cloth
over their nose and mouth because they could be asymptomatic and
still be contagious.
“Even in the midst of a global pandemic, the tireless work of
nurses, physicians, and health care teams is what makes emergency
departments safe places to receive care,” said American Nurses
Association President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN. “However, it
is critical that patients visiting emergency departments wear cloth
masks and maintain physical distancing, to protect themselves and
those providing treatment. I encourage patients and families to
contact their local emergency department before visiting to
understand updated instructions in order to ensure a positive and
safe experience.”
Whether you are concerned you have COVID-19 or are having another
medical emergency, it is critical to know when to go to the
emergency department. The difference could mean life or death.
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The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is the national
medical society representing emergency medicine. Through continuing
education, research, public education and advocacy, ACEP advances
emergency care on behalf of its 39,000 emergency physician members,
and the more than 150 million Americans they treat on an annual
basis. For more information, visit www.acep.org and
www.emergency
physicians.org.
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The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is the premier professional
nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency
nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and
leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable
resource to the global emergency nursing community. With more than
44,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops
industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides
emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in
triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of
emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.
[Steve Arnoff] |
