OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Hospitals in the Kansas City metro want parents to know they are taking many steps to keep their families safe if they have to go there.
Dr. Corey Iqbal, medical director of pediatric and fetal surgery at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, said he has performed three acute appendectomies this week on children whose parents waited too long to bring them in due to fear of the coronavirus.
"The story line is usually the same among those families," Iqbal said. "It's, 'I knew something was not right, but I was really concerned about having to take my child to the hospital and potentially exposing my child and family to the coronavirus.'"
In another instance, Iqbal said a parent delayed bringing in a child who ended up having a broken bone. He said delaying a trip to the emergency room can result in a much longer stay than necessary and more bodily harm to the child.
"I think the most important thing for parents to understand is the hospitals are safe," Iqbal said. "We have screening centers at all of the entry points of the hospital that screen patients and visitors; the staff are wearing masks."
Children's Mercy is getting back to in-person appointments this week.
President and CEO Paul Kempinski said now is the opportune time to start slowly ramping up patient care activity in specialty clinics and surgical centers.
"I think in many respects, we've never been safer," Kempinski said.
The hospital will phase in its recovery plan with about 60% of children being seen face-to-face in specialty clinics while also continuing to utilize telemedicine technology.
Both hospitals are asking patients to wear masks and say they will be screening for symptoms upon arrival.
As a father himself, Iqbal knows parents have the best intentions for their kids. If they truly don't feel comfortable going to a hospital, he suggests they call a local nurse hotline or reach out to their pediatrician. If they don't, they are only putting their children in more danger, he said.
"Just don't let those signs and symptoms that something's not right with your child go unassessed," Iqbal said.
