As part of proactive measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), beginning today, March 19, patients arriving at The Bellevue Hospital’s Emergency Department will notice a new process for evaluating patients.
All patients coming to the Emergency Department will drive up to the main Emergency Department Entrance and a staff member will be waiting to assess whether the patient will be seen for influenza-like illness or non-influenza-like illnesses and injuries. From there, patients will be directed to different areas depending on your symptoms and illness.
“By evaluating outside, we will provide extra precautions to protect our patients and help our staff give the appropriate care quickly,” said Sara Brokaw, vice president of patient care services at The Bellevue Hospital (TBH).
Symptoms of COVID-19, which generally appear two to 14 days after exposure, include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
“If you are sick with these symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider’s office and let them know your symptoms,” Brokaw said. “This will help your healthcare provider take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.”
“We encourage you to stay home to recover, however if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.”
Routine COVID-19 testing is not available at TBH. For general COVID-19 questions, visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call the Ohio Department of Health Hotline at 1-833-427-5634.
“We appreciate your cooperation,” said Michael K. Winthrop, TBH’s president and CEO. “This is going to be uncomfortable, but this plan has been developed to protect our patients, community and staff. We are continually evaluating the status of this challenge and, accordingly will make further changes as we determine appropriate.”
For additional TBH updates on COVID-19, click here.