Today Washington state’s 112 hospitals and health systems announced the launch of a public education campaign to encourage people to avoid delaying care for new or chronic medical concerns, and reassure them that care can be safely accessed – even during a pandemic.
Health care providers are seeing an alarming trend of people delaying care for injuries and worrisome symptoms – sometimes leading to hospitalizations that could have been avoided with earlier care. The reasons for delaying care include concerns about a higher risk for COVID-19 infection and worries that health care teams are too busy for them.
Health care providers are united in ensuring the availability and safety of care, from doctor’s offices and clinics to emergency departments. Precautions are in place to protect patients from exposure to COVID-19 when they visit in person. Many health care organizations have also ramped up the availability to access care through telephone and video visits. Whether the health care concern is physical or emotional, the campaign encourages people to make the call to their provider, and let them make the call about the best way to meet their medical needs.
The press conference recording is available online. The presenting panelists are:
- Dr. Stuart Freed, Chief Medical Officer, Confluence Health
- Dr. Francis Riedo, Epidemiologist, EvergreenHealth
- Dr. Elizabeth Wako, Chief Medical Officer, Swedish First Hill
- Dr. Sam Hsieh, Chief Medical Officer, Coulee Medical Center
- Dr. Ruth McDonald, Chief Medical Officer, Seattle Children’s
Please let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information
