COVID-19: Dignity Health shares latest on hospital preparations and increased access to care
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Since the coronavirus outbreak began, hospitals across the central coast are seeing a decline in the number of patients coming to the emergency room from San Luis Obispo County to Santa Barbara County.
"We’re down by about 75 percent from our normal numbers with people who come through our doors," said Dr. Brad Knox with Sierra Vista.
"Our emergency room volume has been down over the last several weeks," said Dr. Scott Robertson with Marian Regional Medical Hospital.
Robertson some patients may not be coming to the emergency room out of fear that they might get the Coronavirus.
But the ER is for any patient with an emergency even if it’s not related to the virus.
"If you are having a life-threatening emergency such as the signs or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke you need to Come to the emergency room or call 911 immediately," said Robertson.
Robertson said the emergency departments are extremely safe.
The hospital has taken all precautions to separate patients.
Right now there are tents set up at all dignity health hospitals and urgent care centers to prepare for a possible surge of patients.
In addition, Dignity Health has increased access to care with TeleHealth Video Visits.
"One of the issues in our primary care and specialty offices is that some patients because of the risk of getting coronavirus have not been able to come in for their regular appointments. Because of that we’ve opened our TeleHealth in all 42 of our office locations," said Robertson.
This means as the coronavirus pandemic continues, patients can remotely access their physicians to get the care that they need.
This accessible, high-quality health care service provides video visits with a patient’s own physician or advanced practice provider using a phone, tablet or computer.
The benefits of Dignity Health’s TeleHealth Video Visits include remote clinical support using communications technology, remotely connecting patients with their own personal physician and improved health outcomes with greater access to care.
