KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fear of being exposed to coronavirus has some people avoiding the hospital, but St. Luke's Health System said they shouldn't worry.
The health system explained they're taking several options to reduce risk of exposure, such as a 24-7 app, urgent care and community hospital access.
Dr. Jeremiah Yerton explained there have been examples of people who have delayed needed medical care.
"We are starting to see patients present later in their disease process. Appendicitis is presenting with more cases of perforated appendicitis or later evolved heart attacks and strokes," he said.
Yerton is the medical director for St. Luke's community hospitals. According to the health system, community hospitals differ from urgent care by offering emergency care for serious conditions.
Dr. Yerton said patients will notice enhanced measures to enhance safety.
"You'll be met by a screener who will get an understanding of what your symptoms are and determine if you are on of those higher risks individuals. You'll likely be given a mask and then you'll be directed immediately to a room where you'll be seen by a nurse and a medic," he explained.
Coronavirus concerns caused patient Tim Krickle to delay medical attention for what he thought was a hernia.
"I was a little hesitant to go to a regular hospital just due to the amount of people in the emergency room and so I was directed to the community hospital in Roeland Park on the Kansas side, and so went there and found out I didn't have a hernia, which was great. But the process was very smooth, efficient and got in an out in a very reasonable time," he recalled.
Currently, Krickle said he's doing better and using antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine to treat what turned out to be a condition where the intestinal tract is infected and inflamed.
Dr. Yerton explained added precautions have been created at community hospitals for patients with existing medical issues that may be considered high risk.
"For people with high risk complaints, we're utilizing one of our negative pressure rooms where we can keep all that air flow from going out in the hospital. We're also masking our patients in some cases we have them use an alternate entrance so we can help keep them separated from the rest of our patient population," he said.
Medical professionals urge people not to gamble on their health and address issues immediately.
