20 ways to navigate the hospital faster during coronavirus
Now more than ever, you do not want to be stuck in the waiting room.
The confirmed cases of coronaviruses are in full explosion around the world, and hospitals predict that capacity is going to be a problem in the days, weeks, and perhaps even months to come. If you need medical care, to be able to navigate in your way around a medical center and get a rapid treatment is of paramount importance. So we talked to high nation medical experts to get their tips on how to navigate the hospital as quickly and efficiently as possible. Continue reading to know how.
Only go if you really need to
If you are just "kind of sick" and curious to know if you should be quarantined, the just stay, encourages Brandon Lawrence, MD, Phoenix, an emergency medicine doctor Certified Aizona. Not only do you put the health of other people potentially more at risk on the line, but you will probably wait a while because they will be the priority. "Cardiovascular, respiratory problems and serious trauma are quick followed in," saysInna Chern, DDS. "Covid-19 related diseases are also fast and isolated. The remaining diseases are treated as soon as it is the available space. "The host point is" is not time to go to the hospital with a twist of ankle or sprain, "she says.
Make sure your insurance is accepted ahead of time
In order to avoid losing any time, check with your insurance company and make sure your plan is accepted at the hospital before arriving.
If it is a real emergency, call in advance
It's never a bad idea to call the foremost time, especially if you come back for a real emergency. "For women in work, it can be a good idea not to be left waiting for a bed around Covid 's difficulty patients," says Dr. Chern.
Find out if your MD is affiliated with a hospital
Do you have a doctor who knows you? "Many hospitals have set up group practice places in the communities and I am looking for where they are available," urgesSheryl Buchholtz Rosenfield, RNBCIn geriatrics, which served as the first responder voluntary to the sorting for September 11th. "Repeat their hand now and find out about services, schedules and ask if you can" record "with them now and not in a more urgent situation. »
Fill in documents and printing documents ahead of time
Once again, the more you are prepared, the sooner you will be seen. "Make sure you have your medical insurance, medical history, allergies and other information available now if you do not panic if you might need it," suggests Rosenfield.
Have a list of hospitals ready
Have a list of nearest hospitals with their address and contact numbers will help in the case of an emergency, says Rosenfield. "Keep the information in a convenient location," it encourages.
Use the associated nurse call line with your insurance
James Cobb, Rn, MSN, A nurse of the emergency department and former director of the department, suggests trying to use the nursing line associated with your insurance plan. "They are very often useful," he explains.You can ask them if they think you have to be seen in person or they can simply offer advice on which hospitals to go.
Have your story
When you go to triage to an emergency service, ask your story, right load COBB. "Speak clearly, slowly and distinctly. Eliminate detail that is frivolous. Be cooperative. Do not ask too many questions, "he educated. "These steps are important to help the triage nurse understand the medical needs you have and where you would be better served. Obtain properly can save you sorting hours and hours, because if you end up being allowed, it can help you get precisely what the medical care you need.
Do not tie
It may be tempting to say a small white lie to get to see a doctor earlier, but COBB warns against dishonesty. "Never lie about anything. Never exaggerated. Never tell the sorting nurse you have the pain you do not have because you think it will make your back faster, "he educated. This is especially true for thoracic pain. "Do not threaten to continue the hospital if you are not seen in a timely manner. Be clear. Be made. Do not be dramatic and do not think that triage like a social visit. The triage nurse is not to be rude. They try to get to all the patients they can as quickly as possible. »
Leave your family members at home
It may be tempting to bring your loved ones with you to the hospital, but if you want to make your visit as effective as possible, leave them at home. In addition, in doing so, you protect them as well as others potential spread.
Plan Transportation wisely
Driving to the hospital may seem easy, but parking in major health care centers can often be complicated as well as expensive. Not only will it add time to your visit, but you could save a lot of money because waiting times will be longer than usual.
Time your visits
Call your hospital and try to discover when the busiest times are. Although many hospitals can not tell you exactly how long the wait is, they might be able to give you an overview of the days of the week and the day of the day of their waiting rooms. However, if it is a real urgency, you should make your way back as soon as possible, anything.
If you have specific symptoms, tell someone immediately
If you need medical care, make it clear. "If you have serious shortness of breath or a change in your level of consciousness, you are sick enough to demand emergency care and should go without delay," exhorts exhumuresJeremy Gabrysch, MD, CEO and Founder of Remedy, an urgent care service. The emergency rooms give prior care that needs it the most. If it's you, let someone know immediately.
Avoid autonomous emergency rooms
Dr. Gabrysch also suggests looking for care in an emergency room at the hospital because you may need admission to the hospital. "Avoid self-contained emergency rooms because if you need to be admitted, you should be transferred," he says.
Study the website of the hospital in advance
Plastic surgeon based in New YorkGary Linkov, MD, suggests doing your homework. "Most hospitals have useful cards on their websites that show you all parking where specific departments can be found and how to get there," he explains. "Print relevant information and bring it with you."
Avoid great hospitals
Dr. Lawrence explains that some hospitals are usually busiest than others. For example, large level 1 trauma centers as well as academic centers are usually packaged, while smaller communities tend to be less busy. Dr. Linkov adds that some are also much more confusing to navigate than others. "As a general rule, the bigger the hospital, the more difficult it will be to navigate," he says. "If the speed and ease of finding something are priorities, he may have more sense to go to a smaller community hospital."
Avoid hospitals from the city center
Choose your hospital wisely, EnlargeBrittany Brinley, do, a doctor from the Beverly Hills and a contractor certified in internal medicine. "Try to find a hospital that is not in a city center as long as it is not too far from a reader," she says. Why? The hospitals of the city tend to be cluttered than those in the suburbs. In addition, if there are many cases of coronaviruses in your area, maybe thinking of driving a few cities.
Use connections
Know people can be useful when it comes to getting fast medical treatment. If you are not sure whether you know someone who works in your local medical center, Mr. Linkov suggests asking your Facebook friends. "There may be people you'll find you're working at your choice hospital or have friends or family that make and can help you sail faster," he says.
Try to get around the emergency
Dr. Brinley encourages people to talk with their primary doctor before going to the hospital. "They can be able to admit you directly to the hospital if necessary for you to circumvent the emergency," she explains.
Stop at the concierge
Do not try to find your way around a hospital. Make sure to make your first stop conciter. In addition to guiding you in the right direction, if you suffer from all serious symptoms, they can tell you in the right direction and go there as soon as possible.
And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these50 things you should never do during the pandemic coronavirus.