The COVID-19 pandemic has made people hesitant to go anywhere in public – and that has included seeking health care for conditions that need attention.
But concern about COVID-19 should not cause anyone to be too afraid to seek care at a hospital for the many other health conditions that could require immediate medical intervention.
No one should delay care for heart attacks, strokes, and other illnesses because they are too afraid of COVID-19 to go to the emergency room or hospital.
Delay of care could result in poorer overall health outcomes and even life-threatening situations.
For example, Arkansans die from heart attacks at a higher rate than any other state in the union, and a common reason for death is unwillingness to seek emergency care.
This risk is compounded even more when people are scared to go to the hospital because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another example is stroke, which has a treatment that can prevent disability and death if people seek care early in its course. To receive this lifesaving treatment, people must come to the hospital within the first few hours of the onset of symptoms.
Baptist Health’s physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals are ready to treat you for strokes, heart attacks, and other emergent conditions, but they can only help if patients come to the hospital for treatment.
Baptist Health takes every precaution to make our hospitals safe and follows all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our job is to save lives, and we have never been more focused on caring for you. We are ready for your emergencies.
People should be thoughtful of how they utilize the emergency room and health care system during this outbreak, but no one should neglect emergencies.
Please do not be afraid to come and see us. We are ready.
Find the Baptist Health emergency department nearest you or find a Baptist Health provider.