17 Secrets for faster medical care during coronavirus
Sick with coronavirus? Stuck in long lines? Consider this "fast pass".
With A-List celebrities and Big-name sports stars with seemingly easy access to coronavirus testing - while the rest of us expect, we wonder how you can better receive fast health care when you need it. So we talked to several top doctors from all over the country to get their advice on how to navigate medical care in such an era, and here are their main secrets on how to get the fastest possible treatment.
Avoid urgency if you can
If you want to get quick medical care during pandemic coronavirus, it will probably not happen in the emergency room. In addition to spending a lot of time waiting, you risk infecting others likely to be at a higher risk than you. "Going urgently for this level of illness makes social distancing complicated," says Brandon Lawrence, MD, a Phoenix, an emergency medicine doctor certified by the Arizona Council. "We are happy to see you for any complaint, however, think about who else is there." It explains why this could include cancer patients on chemotherapy, the elderly or even young people with Crohn's disease that take daily steroids, which reduces immune responses. "These are the people we are worried about," he says.
Known breathable trouble
If you think you may need to be hospitalized, which in the case of COVID-19 would have difficulty breathing - let medical staff know immediately. This will probably make you a priority to be seen. "If you just have a fever or just want to fall, you will probably have, unfortunately, a last priority for most EDs," says Dr. Lawrence.
Avoid major trauma centers
If you hoped to enter and go out quickly, the biggest will not necessarily be better with regard to hospitals. "In general, the major level 1 trauma centers will probably always have the busiest, as well as university centers (for example, local universities with medical schools / attached residences)," says Dr. Lawrence.
Instead, try the small community
According to Mr. Lawrence, you will probably better go into smaller community emergency rooms because they "are usually less busy". However, as a warning "if they receive major swelling of the patient population, they are a little less equipped to deal with it."
Look for services "in faster services"
Some hospitals use services "in faster services" where you can consult their website and essentially register for a slot to display. "Sometimes it helps with expectations, sometimes no," says Dr. Lawrence. "If you have symptoms of COVID-19, it might be useful to try to use this feature, just to reduce the spread of symptoms."
Avoid Mondays
If you decide to go to the emergency room, Dr. Lawrence explains that traditionally, the worst moment from is Monday, while Saturday night and Sunday are usually the slowest. "For next month, it may not exist," he admits. "In the main metropolitan areas, the TERS have or are about to become flooded with the patient floods for the symptoms involved in the coronavirus."
Do not worry about calling ERS for waiting times
One thing you should not waste your time doing, according to Dr. Lawrence? "The call to ERS is usually a waste of time because most do not give waiting time," he says.
Research Test Locations
Do not expect to walk in a hospital and get a coronavirus test. "You can call your main doctor or county health department for info on where to test", suggests Dr. Lawrence. However, keep in mind that for those who are just "nice sick" -even with coronavirus- "There is no real treatment other than rest and isolation, anyway."
Always call your MD first
Unless it's a true urgency, you should always put a call to your doctor before exploring other options, urges the Dentist based in New York.Inna Chern, DDS. "I think in the present time, it is important not to flood the medical system and hospitals so that patients with emergency can get the care they need," she says. There are some ways to know if you really have a medical emergency. Call your health care provider first to ensure that what you are experiencing mandates, leaving government-defined quarantine / currant restrictions and local officials.
Timing imports
Historically, a few hours ago when the doctor's offices, hospitals and urgent care centers are busiest than others. "It's usually best to be the first person at the beginning of the day or just after lunch to enter and exit the office and limit your exposure to patients," saysMichele C. Reed, do.
Take advantage of telemedicine
If there is a medical concept emerging during pandemic coronavirus, it is telemedicine. "Many large groups and hospitals use this to help social distance, but always provide the necessary care for patients," explainsJoshua Mansour, MD, Certified Physician Triple Board in Los Angeles. Do a little search and discover if your doctor is able to use telemedicine instead of entering their office. Some visits (such as drug recharges) or routine follow-ups are carried out via telemedicine or reprogramming, it emphasizes. "Knowing in advance on time, the options you have helped navigate efficiently and efficiently to system navigation and protect yourself from yourself as well as others around you."
Dr. Danielle R. Plummer, PharMDTELEMDCARE CEO leads a medical concierge service that uses IVISIT application. "The average waiting time is less than 15 minutes and costs $ 49", she explains. "If the doctor decides that the patient needs to go to the hospital, the fees are removed. Most insurance companies and many employers now offer a telemedicine option and with the upcoming government funding, the government. Telehealth will be available for everyone on Medicare without charge for the patient. "
Make sure you are going to take your insurance
Do your homework in advance and make sure your medical destination takes your insurance?James Cobb, Rn, MSN, Nurse Emergency Departures and former Director of the Department. "In general, the right hospital is the one who accepts your insurance", he points out. "You avoid the long-term hassle in this way."
Do not think about arriving when it's less crowded will help
If you visit an emergency service, there will probably be waiting, regardless of the day of the week or the duration of your arrival. "While the time people visit a ring-shaped curve, staffing models to the main emergency departments also correspond to this curve. You might think that you will make ahead dropping to 4 hours from the Morning, but there will be the least staff there at that time, because, statistically, there are the least patients and you may find yourself longer than you would not do it if you arrived at A more practical moment, "says Cobb.
Avoid places that accept government assurance (unless you have))
Unless you have government assurances, you should avoid places that take it if you want to save time, reveals Cobb. "With regard to health care in the United States, the largest payer is the government. To avoid a long line, look for an autonomous emergency service that does not accept any government assurance, whether it is Medicare, Tricare or One of the state programs, "he explains." People with government insurance that come to self-emergency departments are entitled to a medical test and nothing more. As there are fewer people with private insurance, it is a legitimate way to find an emergency service that serves a smaller number of people. . "Check if there is an emergency service like this in your community if you have private insurance.
Check if waiting times are displayed online
Although most ER do not tell you the waiting time by phone, some of them publish their waiting times on the website, Dr. Plummer reveals.
Do your homework before getting sick
Navigation Medical services should be considered now when you feel good, "said Sheryl Buchholtz Rosenfield, a geriatric RNBC, which served as a first respondent to the September 11 triage. "I would know where the nearest medical services are available and this includes local doctors' offices," she encourages. "Reach the hand before the" rush "is no longer big and familiarize them while you are well."
Call 911
If it is an emergency threatening by life, call an ambulance - do not have someone to drive, says Cobb. "Taking an ambulance, the hospital will have a room that awaited you and know your vital signs before your arrival. Their team can begin to treat you as soon as possible, "he explains. If you are driven in a private car, you must wait to be recorded and saved before being seen. "In my hospital, there are separate entrances for those who arrive in an ambulance and those who arrive in a private vehicle, and those of a private vehicle will sit with all the other patients while they are waiting to be seen . "
And to cross this pandemic with your healthiest, do not miss these50 dreadful health habits that everyone does - but should not!.