Amidst COVID-19 Concerns, Emergency
Physicians Urge Public Not to Delay Necessary Medical Care
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[July 07, 2020]
As some communities face the peak of the
COVID-19 outbreak in their area, others are preparing for a surge of
COVID-19 related cases. Emergency physicians continue to encourage
everyone to practice social distancing and stay at home when
possible, but, do not delay necessary medical care, especially if
you think you are having an emergency.
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“Despite concerns about the coronavirus, there is
no reason to delay or avoid treatment if you think you’re having a
medical emergency,” said William Jaquis, MD, FACEP, president of
ACEP. “Waiting too long to seek medical attention could make the
difference between life and death.”
In the last month, some emergency departments across the country are
seeing a reduction in patient volume of more than 30 percent. In
some rural or underserved communities, emergency physicians are
seeing fewer patients but report that those who do come in are more
seriously ill or injured, which may mean they are putting off
necessary treatment.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Apr/20/images/ads/current/graue_sda_2016.png)
“People continue to have accidents, heart attacks, and strokes, and
the emergency department remains the best—and often only—source of
lifesaving care, even during a pandemic. Emergency physicians are
expertly trained to protect our patients during a pandemic, and we
have protocols in place to prevent the spread of the virus,” said
Dr. Jaquis.
Emergency physicians and other frontline health care workers remain
committed to providing care to those in their communities, 24 hours
a day—regardless of the current public health crisis. Do not
hesitate to contact your doctor or call 911 if you need medical
attention. It is also important to know when to go to the emergency
department.
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![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Apr/20/images/ads/current/newhollandbank_sda_SFARM_2020.png) Some of the warning signs and symptoms of a
medical emergency include:
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Bleeding that will not stop
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Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
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Change in mental status (such as unusual behavior, confusion,
difficulty arousing)
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Chest Pain
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Choking
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Coughing up blood or vomiting blood
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Fainting or loss of consciousness
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Feeling suicidal or feeling homicidal
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Head or spine injury
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Severe or persistent vomiting
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Injury due to a serious motor vehicle accident, burns or smoke
inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wound or other serious
injuries
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Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
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Sudden dizziness, sudden muscle or general weakness, sudden
change in vision
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Ingestion of a poisonous substance
Severe abdominal pain or pressure
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.emergencyphysicians.org.
[American College of Emergency
Physicians] |