Hospitals ready to help Ohioans stay healthy
As the economy reopens, it’s going to feel different. It will feel different to go to a restaurant, a gym and even church. It’s certainly going to be different when you arrive at a hospital. But it is safe.
Many people do not look forward to going to a hospital unless it’s to deliver a baby. As we all adapt to COVID-19 protocols, Ohioans can be assured hospitals are safe environments. Our visitation policies remain narrow, especially for welcoming those new babies into the family.
One of the most important steps Ohioans can take now that Gov. Mike DeWine is reopening medical facilities for non-emergency care is preventive medicine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us COVID-19 is especially dangerous for those with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma and for those over the age of 65. National health data show significant numbers of Ohioans fit in each of these high-risk categories — more than 854,000 with asthma, 1.3 million with diabetes and 585,000 with heart disease. The Census Bureau says 17.1% of the 11.7 million Ohioans are 65 or over. That’s more than 2 million Ohioans.
It is vital for older Ohioans and those with chronic conditions to stay current on their regular checkups. Reschedule any canceled appointments. Be sure to talk with your doctors about any deferred testing to assure you and your provider are monitoring your condition for any significant changes.
For parents who are juggling home schooling their children while managing
We’ll all be wearing masks, and you will see us washing our hands many times.
stressful employment challenges, please do not skip the wellness visits for your children. Your kids are likely feeling the stress as well, and that can affect their health. For new parents, it is imperative that you do not miss well-baby visits. The first year of your baby’s life is the time he or she is most vulnerable for minor issues to become major problems if not detected early.
This time last year, I was working with a physical therapist to rehab a surgically repaired shoulder. I put off the surgery for a time, but in the end the only way I was going to get rid of the pain and regain full use of my left arm was to get the shoulder repaired.
If you deferred a medical procedure – or if your provider had to postpone the procedure – now is the time to focus on getting healthy and schedule that procedure. As of May 1, hospitals and medical offices can schedule procedures and surgeries that do not require an overnight stay.
These procedures were halted because of our need to keep hospital beds empty for a possible COVID-19 surge and to preserve the personal protective equipment hospitals use to keep you and your treatment team safe. PPE, as you have probably heard it called in the news, includes the masks, gloves and gowns you see in a medical setting. Be assured that PPE necessary for any procedure you may need is ready as the state and hospital groups continue to secure new supplies and carefully manage the inventory and monitor the very specialized PPE needed to care for COVID-19 patients.
Emergency care and procedures necessary to assure a medical condition did not progress or result in permanent damage were not postponed by our COVID-19 response. It is imperative you do not defer these procedures now. For example, a cardiac catherization would not have been ordered for you if your doctor did not believe there was a significant issue to be treated.
A serious fall or laceration left untreated leaves you vulnerable to complications or infection. Our hospital emergency rooms, and your neighborhood urgent cares, are prepared to evaluate and treat your mishap in a very safe setting.
Hospitals are practicing strict prevention protocols from the time a procedure is scheduled or you arrive for an emergency, until you leave to go home. Yes, we may limit the number of people who can accompany you, and we will likely put a mask on you if you did not arrive wearing one. We’ll all be wearing masks, and you will see us washing our hands many times.
We’re all in this together. Know that the Ohio hospital community is prepared to keep you healthy and provide the care you need to improve your daily life as we stand ready to manage the most complex cases brought on by COVID-19.