Heart attacks, strokes, accidents and injuries: These are just a few examples of medical emergencies that can occur at any time, in any place and to any one – even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland reminds all area communities it is open and available to provide all types of emergency medical care, 24/7, regardless of the current public health crisis.
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recent report from the American College of Emergency Physicians states some emergency departments across the country are seeing a reduction in patient volumes, as well as patients delaying seeking medical care for non-COVID-19 related emergencies – potentially due to patients being concerned about contracting COVID-19 during a hospital visit or overwhelming health care workers.
“Time is of the essence in emergent health issues like heart attacks and strokes, so it is critical that our area residents do not delay seeking medical care for any emergency, even though we are in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Delwin Merchant, emergency medicine physician and medical director of St. Joseph’s emergency department. “We want to assure our community that our hospital has essential protocols in place to keep our patients safe from the spread of infectious diseases, and we are here and ready to care for you.”
The following are some examples of symptoms/incidents in which a trip to the emergency department or call to 911 would be necessary:
· Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
· Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
· Severe abdominal pain
· Bleeding that will not stop
· Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
· Sudden changes in vision
· Sudden confusion
· Injury due to accident, burns or smoke inhalation, near drowning, deep or large wounds or other serious injuries
· Choking
· Difficulty speaking
· Coughing or vomiting blood
· Head or spine injury
HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital is located at 12866 Troxler Avenue in Highland. For more information about HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, visit
stjosephshighland.org.
